.194 Mrs. Kane did not reply, The guests began to appear, many of them complete strangers to their host, who was delighted to see Alan Lloyd among the early arrivals.
'You're looking well, my boy,' he said, finding himself looking up at William for the first time in his life.
'You too, Alan. It was kind of you to come.'
'Kind? Have you forgotten that the invitation came from your grandmothers? I am possibly brave enough to refuse one of them, but both...'
'You too, Alan?' William laughed. 'Can you spare a moment for a private word?' He guided his guest towards a quiet comer. 'I want to change my investment plans slightly and start buying Lester's bank stock whenever it comes on to the market. I'd like to be holding about five per cent of their stock by the time I'm twenty - one.'
"It's not that easy,' said Alan. 'Lester's shares don't come on the market all that often as they are all in private hands, but I'll see what can be done. What is going on in that mind of yours, William?'
'Well, my real aim is..
'William.' Grandmother Cabot was bearing down on them at speed. 'Here you are conspiring in a comer with Mr. Lloyd and I haven't seen you dance with one young lady yet. What do you imagine we organised this ball for?'
'Quite right,' said Alan Lloyd, rising. 'You come and sit down with mr, Mrs. Cabot, and I'll kick the boy out into the world. We can rest, watch him dance, and listen to the 'Music? That's not music, Alan. It's nothing more than a loud cacophony of sound with no suggestion of melody.'
'My dear grandmother,' said William, 'that is "Yes, We Have No Bananas", the latest hit song.'
'Then the time has come for me to depart this world,' said Grandmother Cabot, wincing.
'Never,' Alan Lloyd said gallantly, William danced with a couple of girls whom he had a vague recollection of knowing, but he had to be reminded of their narnes, and when he spotted Matthew sitting in a comer, he was glad of the excuse to escape die dance floor. He had not noticed the girl sitting next to Matthew until he was right on top of them. When she looked up into William's eyes, he felt his knees give way.
To you know Abby Blount?' asked Matthew casually, 'No,' said William, barely restraining himself from straightening his tie.
'This is your host, Mr. William Lowell Kane.'
The young lady cast her eyes demurely downwards as he took the seat on the.other side of her. Matthew had noted the look William gave Abby and went off in search of some punch.
'How is it I've lived in Boston all my life, and we!ve never meff William said.
'We did meet once before. On that occasion, you pushed me into the pond on the Common; we were both three at the time. It's takenme fourteen years to recover.'
'I am sorry,' said William, after a pause during which he searched in vain for more telling repartee.
"VVhat a lovely house you have, William!
There was a second busy pause. 'Thank you,' said William weakly. He glanced sideways at Abby, trying to look as though he were not studying her. She was slim - oh, so slim - with huge brown eyes, long eyelashes and a profile that captivated William. Abby had bobbed her auburn hair in the style William had hated until that moment.
'Matthew tells me you are going to Harvard next year~` she tried again.
'Yes, I am. I mean, would you like to dance?'
Thank you,'she said.
The steps that had come to him so easily a few minutes before seemed now to forsake him. He trod on her toes and continually propelled her into other dancers. He apologised, she smiled. He held her a little more closely, and they danced on.
'Do we know that young lady who seems to have been monopolising William for the last hour?' said Grandmother Cabot suspiciously.
Grandmother Kane picked up her pince - nez and studied the girl accompanying William as he strolled through the open bay windows out on to the lawn.
'Abby Blount,' Grandmother Kane declared.
'Admiral Blount's daughter?' enquired Grandmother Cabot.
eye 'S.1 Grandmother Cabot nodded a degree of approval.
William guided Abby Blount towards the far end of the garden and stopped by a large chestnut tree which he had used in the past only for climbing.
'Do you always try to kiss a girl the first time you meet her?' asked Abby.
To be honest,' s~aid William, 'I've never kissed a girl before!
Abby laughed. 'I'm very flattered!
She offered first her pink check and then her rosy, pursed lips and then insisted upon returning indoors. The grandmothers observed their early re - entry with some relief.