“Say, Leila!” began Henderson, ingratiatingly. “We’re old pals, you and I—let’s shake this bunch. I’ll do something nice for you sometime.”
“What will you do?” Leila demanded with provoking deliberation.
“Oh, something mighty nice! Maybelle and I will give you a party and you can name the guests.”
“Stupid!” she yawned. “Your hair’s mussed, Helen. You and Bud have been naughty.”
“Your behavior isn’t ladylike,” said Thomas. “The party’s getting rough! Come on, let’s go.”
“Oh, I’m misbehaving, am I? Well, I guess my conduct’s as good as yours! Where do you get this stuff that I’m a lost lamb? Even an expert like you, Freddy, wouldn’t call me soused. I’m just little bit tipsy—that’s all! If I had a couple more highballs——”
III
By a signal passed from one to the other they began feigning to ignore her. Constance said she was going; Bud, Whitford and Thomas joined Bruce at the door where he was saying good-night to Mrs. Torrence. Leila was not so tipsy but that she understood what they were doing.
“Think you can freeze me out, do you? Well, I’m not so easily friz! Mr. What’s-your-name——” She fixed her eyes upon Bruce detainingly.
“Storrs,” Bruce supplied good-naturedly.