The boys were uproarious, and Nick was as one of them.

In the midst of the fun and laughter, Olga sat rather silent.

Max, drily humorous, took his customary somewhat supercilious share in the general conversation, but he made no attempt to draw her into it.

She almost wished he would do so, for she felt as if he purposely held aloof from her.
Rising from the table at length, she was aware of an urgent impulse to shirk the interview for which he had made request.

Valiantly she held it in check, but it did not have a very soothing effect upon her nerves.
The whole party rose together, and she slipped away to the kitchen to discuss domestic matters with the cook.