"Nora, you can play hostess.
I will go and tell Grace that Tom is here." "Thank you." Tom cast a grateful look after Mrs.Harlowe's retreating back.

Following Nora into the living-room he seated himself nervously on the davenport, his eyes fixed on the doorway.
Nora eyed him in sober speculation.

She would have liked to inquire into the nature of his excitement.

Courtesy forbidding her to do so, she indulged only in commonplaces to which Tom replied almost absently.

It was evident that something remarkable must have happened to thus upset Tom's equanimity.