The other man offered Peter tea, which he took.  “And how did the festivities go off at Christmas?” he asked.

“Oh, topping,” said Julie.  “Let me see, you were at the play, so I needn’t talk about that; but you thought it good, didn’t you?”

“Rippin’” said Peter.

“Well,” said Julie, “then there was the dance on Boxing Night.  We had glorious fun.  Jack, here, behaved perfectly abominably.  He sat out about half the dances, and I should think he kissed every pretty girl in the room.  Then we went down to the nurses’ quarters of the officers’ hospital and made cocoa of all things, and had a few more dances on our own.  They made me dance a skirt dance on the table, and as I had enough laces on this time, I did.  After that—­but I don’t think I’ll tell you what we did after that.  Why didn’t you come?”

Peter had been at a big Boxing Night entertainment for the troops in the Y.M.C.A.  Central Hall, but he did not say so.  “Oh,” he said, “I had to go to another stunt, but I must say I wish I’d been at yours.  May I have another cup of tea?”

The third man gave it to him again, and then, apologizing, left the room.  Donovan exchanged glances with Julie, and she nodded.

“I say, Graham,” said Donovan, “I’ll tell you what we’ve really met here for to-day.  We were going to fix it up and then ask you; but as you’ve dropped in, we’ll take it as a dispensation of Providence and let you into the know.  What do you say to a really sporting dinner at the New Year?”

“Who’s to be asked?” queried Peter, looking round.  “Fives into a dinner won’t go.”

“I should think not,” cried Julie gaily.  “Jack, here, is taking me, aren’t you?” Donovan said “I am” with great emphasis, and made as if he would kiss her, and she pushed him off, laughing, holding her muff to his face.  Then she went on:  “You’re to take Tommy.  It is Tommy’s own particular desire, and you ought to feel flattered.  She says your auras blend, whatever that may be; and as to Mr. Pennell, he’s got a girl elsewhere whom he will ask.  Three and three make six; what do you think of that?”

“Julie,” said Tommy Raynard composedly, “you’re the most fearful liar I’ve ever met.  But I trust Captain Graham knows you well enough by now.”

“I do,” said Peter, but a trifle grimly, though he tried not to show it—­“I do.  I must say I’m jolly glad Donovan will be responsible for you.  It’s going to be ‘some’ evening, I can see, and what you’ll do if you get excited I don’t know.  Flirt with the proprietor and have his wife down on us, as like as not.  In which event it’s Donovan who’ll have to make the explanations.  But come on, what are the details?”

“Tell him, Jack,” said Julie.  “He’s a perfect beast, and I shan’t speak to him again.”

Peter laughed.  “Pas possible,” he said.  “But come on, Donovan; do as you’re told.”