It seemed that the Thatcher incident was not only funny, but that its full humorous value had not until that moment been wholly realized by either of them.
She rose quickly.

One of her gloves fell to the floor and he picked it up.

The act of restoring it brought them close together, and their talk had, he felt, justified another searching glance into her face.

She nodded her thanks, smiling again, and moved toward the door.

He admired the tact which had caused her to close the discussion at precisely the safe moment.