He was wondering what on earth had brought those two together and why, after that night, Miss Bridger should be friendly with the Pilgrim; but of these things he said nothing, though he did find a good deal to say upon pleasanter subjects.
So far as any one knew, Charming Billy Boyle, while he had done many things, had never before walked boldly into a picnic crowd carrying a blue parasol as if it were a rifle and keeping step as best he might over the humps and hollows of the grove with a young woman.

Many there were who turned and looked again--and these were the men who knew him best.

As for Billy, his whole attitude was one of determination; he was not particularly lover-like--had he wanted to be, he would not have known how.

He was resolved to make the most of his opportunities, because they were likely to be few and because he had an instinct that he should know the girl better--he had even dreamed foolishly, once or twice, of some day marrying her.

But to clinch all, he had no notion of letting the Pilgrim offend her by his presence.
So he somehow got her wedged between two fat women at one of the tables, and stood behind and passed things impartially and ate ham sandwiches and other indigestibles during the intervals.