She also saw Charity and Jim and Cheever's sudden flush of rage. She
felt that the way was opening for her dreams to come true. She was so
happy over the situation that she helped Cheever out of the appalling
problem before him.
He did not know how to go forward or how to retreat. He could think
of nothing to say to the headwaiter who offered him his choice of
tables.
Zada caught his elbow and murmured in her very best voice just loud
enough for the headwaiter's benefit:
"Mr. Cheever, I'm so sorry--but I'm feeling dizzy. I'm afraid I shall
faint if I don't get out in the air. It's very close in here."
"It is very close, madam," said the headwaiter, and he helped to
support her down the steps quietly and deferentially, just as if
he believed it.
Zada and Cheever thought they were escaping from a crisis, but they
were drifting deeper and deeper into the converging currents. When
they were safe in the motor outside Zada was proud.
"Some get-away, that?" she laughed.
"Wonderful!" said Cheever. "I didn't know you had so much social
skill."
"You don't know me," she said. "I'm learning! You'll be proud of me
yet."
"I am now," he said. "You're the most beautiful thing in the world."
"Oh, that's old stuff," she said. "Any cow can be glossy. But I'm
going in for the real thing, Peterkin. I've cut out the cocktails
and I don't dance with anybody but you lately. Have you noticed
that? It's the quiet life and the nice ways for me.
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