But those who did know him saw instantly how interested he was in her youth and inexperience. Her cheeks were already flooded with pink, as if she realized she must do her best to please and was conscious that she was not wholly failing. Timidity reflected itself in her answers, yet this was no more than an involuntary compliment, pleasing in itself. And whenever possible, Alice took refuge from the brother’s more direct questions by appealing to his sister Dolly. Kimberly was diverted to see her seek escape in this fashion from his directness.
She expressed presently her admiration for the decorations at the Casino and the talk turned upon the Hawaiian singers; from them to Hawaii and Honolulu. Word at that moment came from the music room that the singing was beginning. Kimberly without any sign of giving up Alice, followed Dolly and her husband down the hall to where the guests were gathering.
The group paused near the foot of the stairs. Alice asked an explanation of the chant that they had heard at the Casino and Kimberly interpreted the rhythm for her. "But I should have thought," he added, "you would be familiar with it."
"Ah, I see. But I was there only once, when I was quite young, with my father."
"And yet you have no lei to-night? That is hardly loyal, is it?"
"We came late and they had all been given out, I suppose."
"I have one in reserve. You must show your good-will to the musicians. Permit me." He turned with dignity to the console where he had so unceremoniously discarded his own lei and picked the garland up to lay it upon Alice’s shoulders.
"But Robert," Fritzie cried, "you mustn’t! That is a rose lei."
"What is the difference?" asked Kimberly.
"There’s a superstition, you know, about a rose lei."
"Mercy, what is it?" demanded Alice, pink and smiling.
"If a man gives you a rose lei you must marry him or you will die."
"Fortunately," remarked Kimberly, lifting the decoration quickly above Alice’s head and placing it without hesitation on her shoulders, "neither Mrs. MacBirney nor I are superstitious. And the roses harmonize perfectly with your gown, Mrs. MacBirney. Don’t you love the Islands?"
"I’ve always wanted to go back to them to stay. I don’t think if I had my choice I should ever leave them."