The anecdote was a long one. Agatha Troy remained silent throughout.

“Well, when he was through — and say, did I get tired of that dress? — it was one big success. Poppa bought it, and it’s in our reception-hall at Honolulu. Some of the crowd say it doesn’t just flatter, but it looks good to me. I don’t pretend to know a whole lot about art, Miss Troy, but I know what I like.”

“Quite,” said Agatha Troy. “Look here, I think I’d better get down to my cabin. I haven’t unpacked yet. If you’ll excuse me— ”

“Why, certainly. We’ll be seeing you. Say, have you seen that guy Alleyn around?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know— ”

“He’s tall and thin, and I’ll say he’s good-looking. And he is British? Gee! I’m crazy about him. I got a little gamble with these boys, I’ll have him doing figure eights trying to dope out when the petting-party gets started.”

“I’ve kissed good-bye to my money,” one of the youths said.

“Listen to him, will you, Miss Troy? But we certainly saw Mr. Alleyn around this way a while back.”

“He went up to the boat deck,” said a youth.

“Oh,” said Miss Troy clearly. “That man! Yes, he’s up there now.”

“Atta-boy!”

“Whoopee!”

“Oh damn!” said Alleyn softly.

And the next thing that happened was Miss Van Maes showing him how she’d made a real Honolulu lei out of Fijian frangipanni, and asking him to come down with the crowd for a drink.

“Has this party gone cuckoo or something? We’re three rounds behind the clock. C’m on!”

“Virginia,” said a youth, “you’re tight.”

“What the hell! Is it my day to be sober? You coming, Mr. Alleyn?”

“Thank you so much,” said Alleyn, “but if you’ll believe it, I’m a non-drinker at the moment. Doctor’s orders.”