She returned a moment later, but had hardly sat down before Gaymer spread out the substantial remains of his hand with a challenge of "Any one anything to say about the rest? Babs, don't keep us waiting again!"
As she stood up, Eric rose, too, and said good-bye.
"I have some work to finish before I go to bed," he told her.
"Won't you wait and see me home? Sonia O'Rane's got a brougham, and we'll borrow it first."
Eric laughed and shrugged his shoulders.
"Certainly, if you wish it."
"You're not very gracious," she pouted.
"It was so transparent. You could go with Mrs. O'Rane. Or Gaymer would be delighted to find you a taxi. Or you could go on foot."
She drew herself up to her full height.
"Instead of which I humiliated myself by asking a small thing which was just big enough to give you the opportunity of being rude."