“I think I’d like it maybe.”
“Yes, you would.” He changed the subject impatiently. “Fliss, will you wear my frat pin?”
Fliss patted her knee with the ostrich fan, and regarded the pin. It was set with pearls in the most extravagant manner that a fraternity pin could be. But she hesitated.
“You know what that always means to everybody—all the girls laugh and talk——”
“That’s what I’d like it to mean—that we’re engaged.”
“Oh, I don’t want to be engaged.”
“I suppose it would have to be awfully indefinite. But it doesn’t have to mean that we’re engaged, just to wear my pin. Lots of girls wear them when they don’t mean a single thing. Please.”
She took the pin from him yieldingly, with a graceful little smile of pleasure and gratitude playing about her mouth. The boy was watching her closely and his face flushed suddenly at her smile.
“And because it’s our last night,” he whispered awkwardly, “you’ll let me kiss you——”
But he did not wait for permission. Most of the boys did not with Fliss. Fliss might not give you the kiss you wanted when you wanted it, but she could be kissed and they knew it. Usually they were silly enough, little giggling kisses, but to-night there was a new quality in Gordon. Fliss felt it and pulled herself away, a little abashed. But most of all Gordon seemed to feel it himself, for he released her and stood up suddenly, flushed and silent.