Had he been to the manner born he would have known better
than to force himself on a hostess, or to make his monopoly of a young
girl so marked. But he was entirely oblivious of whether he was doing as
he ought, conscious only that, for causes which he made no attempt to
analyze, he was very happy when with her. For reasons best known to Miss
Pierce, she allowed herself to be monopolized. She was even almost as
devoted to Peter as he was to her, and no comparison could be stronger.
It is to be questioned if she enjoyed it very much, for Peter was not
talkative, and the little he did say was neither brilliant nor witty.
With the jollity and "high jinks" (to use a word of Watts's) going on
about her, it is hardly possible that Peter's society shone by contrast.
Yet in drawing-room or carriage, on the veranda, lawn, or yacht's deck,
she was ever ready to give him as much of her attention and help as he
seemed to need, and he needed a good deal. Watts jokingly said that "the
moment Peter comes in sight, Helen puts out a sign 'vacant, to let,'"
and this was only one of many jokes the house-party made over the dual
devotion.
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