Stella turned back to the private room and prepared to step inside. From behind, she heard a soft voice. "Hi, Stella?"

Her hand hesitated on the doorknob. She turned around a few seconds later. Horace was surprised to learn that it was really her.

"Stella, why are you here?" he asked as he approached her. “I believed I had misidentified you for another girl."

Stella welcomed him with the composure of an old friend, saying, "I'm here with my pals for a get-together. What about you?”

Annie showed up like a crazy person just now. Stella ought to have been aware that Horace was also present.

“Along with me are...