And so Stephen began to think of Virginia, and to wonder what she would wear at Anne's party; and to speculate how she would have treated him if had gone. To speak truth, this last matter had no little weight in his decision to stay away. But we had best leave motives to those whose business and equipment it is to weigh to a grain. Since that agonizing moment when her eyes had met his own among the curiously vulgar at the Fair, Stephen's fear of meeting Virginia had grown to the proportions of a terror. And yet there she was in his mind, to take possession of it on the slightest occasion.
When Judge Whipple had finished, Tom rose. He awoke Mr. Brice from a trance.
“Stephen,” said he, “of course you're going to the Brinsmade's.”
Stephen shook his head.
“Why not?” said Tom, in surprise. “Haven't you a costume?”
“Yes,” he answered dubiously.
“Why, then, you've got to come with me,” says Tom, heartily. “It isn't too late, and they'll want you. I've a buggy, and I'm going to the Russells' to change my clothes. Come along!”
Steven went.