"I'll take a chance——" He set the pan of ice on a table, girded up his dressing-gown, and went out into the court. The horse stood quietly enough now. But Cleland soon discovered a green-eyed horsefly squatting on the wall and rubbing its forelegs together in devilish exultation.
"I'll fix you," he muttered, picking up a lump of wet clay and approaching with infinite caution. He was a good shot; he buried the bloodthirsty little demon under a spatter of clay. Then he went back for his ice.
"The deed is done," he said cheerily. "It was a horsefly, as you said.... Good-bye.... When are we going to have another dance?"
"We'd better not," she said smilingly. She had seated herself on the sofa and had drawn her pretty, bare feet up under her kimono.
"You won't let me give another party for you?" he inquired.
"I ought not to."
"But will you?"
"I don't know. This kimono party we're having now seems sufficient for the present; and I think you'd better go."
"Anyway," he said, "when a desire for innocent revelling seizes you, you know where to go."
"Yes, thank you."