Jim thought her tone was just a little strained and that her colour went somewhat suddenly.
“I haven’t the slightest idea! He didn’t show up to-night at home; yet he has been aching for this little affair since he received your invitation.”
“Oh, I––I hardly think so, Jim. He is not the man to ache much over this kind of thing. You don’t suppose anything serious could have happened?” she asked with a show of anxiety.
“I don’t. But I’m sure only something serious would keep him away. However,––what’s the good of worrying!––Phil can look out for himself pretty good.”
“Yes,––I daresay!” she said absently, staring at the dancers as they glided round in the next room.
Jim put his hand on her arm and moved her round to him.
“Eileen,––what is it that is troubling you? You are not so terribly interested in Phil as all that,––are you?”
She roused herself.
“Me? Oh dear no! Not any more than I am in Sol Hanson, in Mr. Todd, in––in Jim Langford,” she bantered. “Why should I? I know him only in the most casual of casual ways.”