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because of his ignorance about such things?
    The little group from Mill Street accepted introductions, gave introductions, meandered through the dazzling rooms, and finally made its way out to the terrace, where the buffet was set. Long tables were covered withdelectables. At the far end of the terrace near the pool, three men in white jackets stood behind the bar, where it appeared that some of the guests had already been having more from that bar than they could hold.
    Robb filled his plate, got his drink, and sat down at a table with Eddy, Walt, and a student whom he had never met. Walt and Eddy had found girls at the bar, while the other man was with his wife. Although she was a pretty, young woman, it was only the diamond wedding band on her finger that caught Robb’s eye, bringing wistful thoughts. But for the lack of dollars, Lily would be at this table with him today.
    A lone girl, overweight and homely, took the empty seat beside Robb. He saw at once that she was miserable, an outsider in this place. And feeling the cruelty of her situation, he began a friendly conversation. Eagerly, she responded, and with such a detailed account of herself that no one could possibly be interested in it. One by one, the others left the table and drifted away.
    â€œI think people want our table,” Robb said after a while. He stood up. “Well, it was nice—” he began before realizing that she was not about to let him go.
    They walked toward the pool. Patiently, as if lost, he stood with the girl’s noisy voice droning in his ear. His friends had disappeared, his hunger had been satisfied, and he would gladly have gone home, when abruptly, at the far end of the pool, there burst a wild commotion.
    Girls squealed and shrieked. Men wrestled, shouted, and howled with laughter. And suddenly one, who was probably more drunk than the rest, picked up a girl andflung her, flowered dress, kicking white shoes and all, into the water.
    â€œWhat are you doing? You’re disgusting, Jed,” someone standing near Robb cried out.
    â€œWho, me?” retorted Jed. “Me, disgusting?” And he came galloping toward his critic.
    â€œWhat the hell do you think you’re doing, Jed? There’s nothing funny about—”
    â€œI’ll show you funny.” And with that, grabbing Robb’s innocent companion, Jed tossed her, too, into the water.
    A tumult followed. The two furious, weeping victims were promptly rescued. People ran to the house to soothe the outrage of some, but by no means all, of the spectators. As much as anyone, Robb enjoyed some horseplay, but this was not his idea of horseplay. It was contemptible and mean. Especially did he feel sorry for his late companion. Something told him that her unbecoming dress was probably her best one, and most likely it was ruined. He watched for a moment as women were comforting her, then shook his head and walked away.
    A balustrade divided the terrace from a long view of lawn and a garden whose strict geometry gave him an alien, cold feeling. The only good thing about this afternoon, he thought, was the food.
    â€œIsn’t this awful? A bad imitation of Versailles.”
    He turned to see a young woman coming toward him.
    â€œWhat, the garden?” he replied.
    â€œThat, and the house. It’s all so fake. And then those monsters just now. Or don’t you agree?”
    â€œI wasn’t so sure about the house at first, but I certainly agree about the creeps who did that to the girls.”
    â€œOne of the creeps was my date. It’s my first time out with him and let me tell you, it’s my last.”
    Her large green eyes protested. Indignation had almost taken her breath away. He could see, as she stood with her hands clasped on the railing, the rise and fall of her chest under thin silk.
    â€œI never like these huge bashes anyway,” she said. “If it weren’t for my high heels, I’d walk right home