As they shook hands in the rain, he held her small glove for just the fraction of an inch longer than was necessary. She forgot to ask if he would care to come inside.
"Good-bye, and thank you."
"So long, and we must fix up a day for a run, a fine day."
She passed into the house.
"Well, dear," said Mrs. Hammond, "did you have a nice party?"
"Yes."
"You're back early, aren't you? Did I hear a car just now?"
"Yes. Godfrey Neale brought me back."
"Oh." Mrs. Hammond smiled. She was tired, and the day had been difficult for many reasons. Muriel knew this. She felt the passion of admiring pity for her mother, which was always her strongest emotion over any person.
"He has asked me to go for a ride in his new car, some day soon," she remarked indifferently.