Part 33 (1/2)
”That's asking something. In return I'm going to ask you a question.”
”Well?”
”What is it like to be so charming?”
The same question asked by another man might have offended her. There was such a note of sincere, boyish admiration in the man's voice, that she had said, almost before she was aware of it:
”Rather nice.”
He said more in the same strain. Mavis found herself greatly enjoying the thinly veiled compliments which he paid her. It was the first time since she had grown up that she had spoken to a smart man, who was obviously a gentleman. If this were not enough to thaw her habitual reserve, there was something strangely familiar in the young man's face and manner; it almost seemed to Mavis as if she were talking with a very old friend or acquaintance, which was enough to justify the unusual levity of her behaviour.
Once or twice, she caught Mrs Hamilton's eye, when she could not help seeing how her friend was much pleased at the way in which she attracted Mr Williams.
When he was taking the girl down to dinner, he murmured:
”May I call here often?”
”There's no charge for admission,” replied Mavis.
”It wouldn't make any difference to me if there were.”
”How nice to be so reckless!”
”I'm a lot in town for the next three months. I want to get as much out of life as I can.”
”From school?”
”Aldershot.”
”Are you in the service?”
”Eh!”
”If you are, haven't you any rank at your age?” asked Mavis.
”How do you know I'm not a Tommy?” he asked.
”That's what I thought you were,” she retorted.
Mavis and Mrs Hamilton faced each other at table; Williams sat on her right, Ellis on her left. The conversation at the dinner-table was, almost exclusively, between the soldier and Mavis. Ellis scarcely spoke to his hostess, and then only when compelled.
”What will you drink?” asked Mrs Hamilton of Mavis.
”Water, please.”
”Water?” echoed Mrs Hamilton.
Mr Ellis looked keenly at Mavis.
”Have some champagne,” continued Mrs Hamilton.