Antonia broke off to call Pearl's attention to Dolly, who was coming down the boardwalk in a bathing dress of as many hues as Joseph's coat.
Everything about her was bent--her back, her knees, her elbows, her fingers, and every crook was obviously intended to charm the young man by whose side she was walking, who was staring out to sea and very thoughtfully putting cotton in his ears. Even Pearl, indifferent as she then supposed herself to be to all men, could not but admit that he was as splendid an example of young blond manhood as she had ever seen.
Then as he came nearer she saw a certain pale red-rimmedness about the eyes, and she thought, "He's the kind you'd have to describe as handsome, and yet if anyone else did, you'd say, 'Oh, do you think him handsome? I don't like his looks at all.'"
Antonia meantime was pouring his life history into her ear.
"Allen Williams. He's twenty-one and has been a freshman for two years--isn't be handsome?--and very vicious--gambles and drinks and everything. I heard the Williams' governess telling someone the other day that Monsieur Allen was _déjà très connu dans le monde--le monde gal--gal_--something or other. I wish I knew more French. You can't really tell much what goes on on the beach unless you know French. Of course, he's just amusing himself with Dolly."
"I tell you what I think," said Pearl, suddenly becoming aware that she had been staring, and not only this, but also stared at.