She smiled back at him gratefully, as though she said, "Thank you for not telling me how badly I dance."
He enjoyed the comfortable feeling of having conferred a favour on her. Muriel's smiles were like that.
The polka was not repeated. The pianist turned to concentrate his attention upon the palm. Godfrey led Muriel back to her mother.
"Did he ask you for any more dances, dear?"
"No, mother."
That was the first dance. A second and third followed while Mrs. Hammond talked to Nancy Cartwright's mother, and no one took any notice of Muriel. She sat quietly, enjoying the Party. There seemed to be no better thing than to watch and listen.
Mrs. Hammond turned.
"Let me see your programme, dear."
On the empty page Freddy's name sprawled, conspicuous in its isolation.
"Dear me," observed Nancy Cartwright's mother, "doesn't Muriel know the children here? I must get Nancy to introduce her to some little boys. Nancy's getting such a little flirt. So popular . . ."