I'd never been in that restaurant without him in all my life,
that the waiter had mistaken someone else for me." And again she
turned her back upon Jimmy.

"But don't you see," protested Jimmy, "this would all be so very
much simpler if you'd just own up to the truth now, before it's
too late?"

"It IS too late," declared Zoie. "Alfred wouldn't believe me
now, whatever I told him. He says a woman who lies once lies all
the time. He'd think I'd been carrying on with you ALL ALONG."

"Good Lord!" groaned Jimmy as the full realisation of his
predicament thrust itself upon him.

"We don't DARE tell him now," continued Zoie, elated by the
demoralised state to which she was fast reducing him. "For
Heaven's sake, don't make it any worse," she concluded; "it's bad
enough as it is."

"It certainly is," agreed Jimmy, and he sank dejectedly into his
chair.

"If you DO tell him," threatened Zoie from the opposite side of
the table, "I'll say you ENTICED me into the place."

"What!" shrieked Jimmy and again he found himself on his feet.

"I will," insisted Zoie, "I give you fair warning."