'No, she'll shake hands and it might get in the way.
'Put it on the table—that's the thing!—on a corner where she'll see it.
'Then some time when we can't think of anything to talk about, I'll say—“Thought you might like a few chocolates.” Sorta offhand. Prevent there being a lull in the conversation.
'Better begin calling her Cicely.'
'Why not? Shucks! Can't go on with “You” and “Say!” Why can't I just do it naturally? The way Herb would, or Elbow, or those fellows.
'“How'd' you do, Cicely! Come on, let's take a walk.”
'No. “Good-evening, Cicely. I thought maybe you'd like to take a walk. There's a moonrise over the lake about half-past eight.” That's better.
'Wonder if Herb'll be there. He'd hardly think to come so early, though. Be all right if I can get her away from the house by eight.'
He paused, held up his watch to the light from the corner, then rushed on.
'Maybe she'd ask me to sit him out, anyway.'