Nevertheless, not one movement of young Ried escaped the notice of some of them.
He tried still to carry on a conversation; though the business of eating was being too closely attended to on all sides to let him be very successful.
Gracie studied him, and was not only interested in his efforts, but roused to make some attempts herself. What could she talk about with such people? School? The Literary Club? The last concert? The course of lectures? The last new book that everybody was reading? No, not everybody; assuredly not these seven.
On what ground was she to meet them?
Yet talk she must and would. Mr. Ried should see that she at least wanted to help.
CHAPTER XIII. — “LET US BE FASHIONABLE.”
One feature of the hour was not only entirely new to the boys, but gave them a curious feeling, the name of which they did not understand. When the last one sat back in his chair, thereby admitting himself vanquished, Mrs. Roberts, looking at the young man who sat at the foot of the table, said:—
“Will you return thanks?”