“Hold your tongue, Judy,” he said shyly, slipping in to rest his arms on the railing between her and Stargarde.
“Oh, but really, you know, it is too overcoming,” said Judy saucily. “And his hair, Stargarde! What have you done with your sandy locks, Brian? Isn’t the back of his head nice?” and she ran her fingers lightly over it. “I’m proud of you, my physician,” and thrusting her hand through his arm, she looked down on the moving groups of people below. “They’re just going to start the dancing; the musicians are in a little room off the library. Stanton had to leave his den for once.”
“Where is he?” interrupted Camperdown.
“Dressing; he was detained in town. Doesn’t the house look nice, Brian? We’ve had a florist here all day. I like the palm grove in the back hall best of all. Mamma must be dead tired. She has been at the thing for a week. Stanton for once let her have all the money she wished. All day she has been fussing about the supper, and watching the thermometers; the house isn’t too warm yet, whatever it may be later; and the men were late in coming to take up the hall carpet. There go the lancers. I wish I could dance.”
Camperdown was not listening to her, being engaged in carrying on a conversation in a low note with Stargarde, who seemed strangely listless and inattentive.
“Stargarde forgot that it was the night of the ball,” said Judy. “She came sauntering out here about six o’clock in that cotton gown, and said that mamma had invited her to something, she didn’t know what, but thought it was a dinner. Isn’t she queer, Brian?”
“Very,” he replied; then to the subject of their remarks. “You look pale; will you sit down?”
She sank obediently into the big chair that he pulled up for her, and he resumed his talk with her.
Judy watched the dancing going on below, and listened to the music as if she were entranced, occasionally hushing Mammy Juniper, who sat on a stool in the corner, rocking herself to and fro and groaning, “O Lord, forgive! Good Lord, pardon!” and similar ejaculations.
“There is Stanton,” exclaimed Judy. “I must speak to him,” and she limped down to the hall below.