The stranger crossed the room; and, stood against a mantelpiece. He began to look at the fat face of the little old lady with polite, yet rather sad, admiration. From there things went very quickly, leaving Mr Tupman silent with astonishment. While the little doctor was dancing with another lady; the widow dropped her fan. The stranger picked it up, and gave it back. They smiled, she responded to his bow and they talked for a few moments. The stranger walked up to the organizer of the ball and came back with him. The organizer introduced the stranger to the widow, and a few seconds later the two were dancing together.

Mr Tupman was greatly surprised by the speed at which this all happened, but the doctor was even more astonished. The the widow was pleased to be dancing with a polite young man, and she completely ignored the doctor. The doctor was angry and upset, even more because the young man completely and calmly pretended not to notice him. Doctor Slammer did not know what to think. He, Doctor Slammer, of the 97th, had been made to look silly by a man that nobody had ever seen before. No-one even knew his name! Doctor Slammer - Doctor Slammer of the 97th had been rejected! Impossible! It could not be true! But it was. The widow was with someone else. What! Now the stranger was introducing his friend to the widow! He could not believe his eyes! He looked again, and had to admit that his eyes were telling the truth. The widow, Mrs Budger, was dancing with the stranger's friend, Mr Tracy Tupman. The widow was bouncing around energetically; while Mr Tracy Tupman danced (as many people do) as if the dance was a very serious thing. As if it was not something to enjoy, but a serious test which it needed great determination to pass.