“Think so. For it is quite true.... Will you come to tea alone with me some afternoon?”
He looked at her; reddened. Marya turned her head leisurely, to hear what Palla was saying to her. At the sound of her voice, Jim turned also, and saw Palla bending near his shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” she was saying to Marya, “but Questa Terrett desires to know Jim–––”
“Is it any wonder,” said Marya, “that women should 216 desire to know him? Alas!––” She laughed and turned to Ilse, who seated herself as Jim stood up.
Palla, her finger-tips resting lightly on his arm, said laughingly: “Our youthful and tawny enchantress seemed unusually busy with you this evening. Has she turned you into anything very disturbing?”
“Would you care?”
“Of course.”
“Enough to come to earth and interfere?”
“Good heavens, has it gone as far as that!” she whispered in gay consternation. “And could I really arrive in time, though breathless?”
He laughed: “You don’t need to stir from your niche, sweetness. I swept your altar once. I’ll keep the fire clean.”