With the happy recollection that Jim, also, was dining with her, she ran lightly up the steps and into the house; examined the flowers which stood in jars of water in the pantry, called for vases, arranged a centre-piece for the table, and carried other clusters of blossoms into the little drawing-room, and others still upstairs.
Then she returned to criticise the table and arrange the name-cards. And, this accomplished, she ran upstairs again to her own room, where her maid was waiting.
Two or three times in a year––not oftener––Palla yielded to a rare inclination which assailed her only when unusually excited and happy. That inclination was to whistle.
She whistled, now, while preparing for the bath; whistled like a blackbird as she stood before the pier-glass before the maid hooked her into a filmy, rosy 208 evening gown––her first touch of colour since assuming mourning.
The bell rang, and the waitress brought an elaborate florist’s box. There were pink orchids in it and Jim’s card;––perfection.
How could he have known! She wondered rapturously, realising all the while that they’d have gone quite as well with her usual black.
Would he come early? She had forgotten to ask it. Would he? For, in that event––and considering his inclination to take her into his arms––she decided to leave off the orchids until the more strenuous rites of friendship had been accomplished.
She was carrying the orchids and the long pin attached, in her left hand, when the sound of the doorbell filled her with abrupt and delightful premonitions. She ventured a glance over the banisters, then returned hastily to the living room, where he discovered her and did exactly what she had feared.
Her left hand, full of orchids, rested on his shoulder; her cool, fresh lips rested on his. Then she retreated, inviting inspection of the rosy dinner gown; and fastened her orchids while he was admiring it.
Her guests began to arrive before either was quite ready, so engrossed were they in happy gossip. And Palla looked up in blank surprise that almost amounted to vexation when the bell announced that their tête-à-tête was ended.