It pricked him with a pleasant sensation. His veins and his nerves attended to her, she was so young and palpitating. “It’s not such a good programme as last week’s,” he said. Again she half turned her face to him, and her clear, bright eyes, bright like shallow water, filled with light, frightened, yet involuntarily lighting and shaking with response. “Oh, isn’t it! I wasn’t able to come last week.” He noted the common accent. It pleased him. He knew what class she came of. Probably she was a warehouse-lass. He was glad she was a common girl. He proceeded to tell her about the last week’s programme. She answered at random, very confusedly. The colour burned in her cheek. Yet she always answered him. The girl on the other side sat remotely, obviously silent. He ignored her. All his address was for his own girl, with her bright, shallow eyes and her vulnerably opened mouth. The talk went on, meaningless and random on her part, quite deliberate and purposive on his. It was a pleasure to him to make this conversation, an activity pleasant as a fine game of chance and skill. He was very quiet and pleasant-humoured, but so full of strength. She fluttered beside his steady pressure of warmth and his surety. He saw the performance drawing to a close. His senses were alert and wilful. He would press his advantages. He followed her and her plain friend down the stairs to the street. It was raining. “It’s a nasty night,” he said. “Shall you come and have a drink of something—a cup of coffee—it’s early yet.” “Oh, I don’t think so,” she said, looking away into the night. “I wish you would,” he said, putting himself as it were at her mercy. There was a moment’s pause. “Come to Rollins?” he said. “No—not there.” “To Carson’s, then?” There was a silence. The other girl hung on. The man was the centre of positive force. “Will your friend come as well?” There was another moment of silence, while the other girl felt her ground. “No, thanks,” she said. “I’ve promised to meet a friend.” “Another time, then?” he said. “Oh, thanks,” she replied, very awkward. “Good night,” he said. “See you later,” said his girl to her friend. “Where?” said the friend. “You know, Gertie,” replied his girl. “All right, Jennie.”