Jeannie joined her friend in the window-seat . `` Yes , just the same , '' she said . There was silence for a little while . An hour had passed since they began to talk , but it was still short of midnight , and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies . Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows , and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space , a little mellowed by the distance , but with the rhythm of its music intact . `` Oh , I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart , '' said Jeannie . `` But I wo n't ; I will do something much nicer , and that is I will hear from you the news of your year .
Jeannie joined her friend in the window - seat . ` ` Yes , just the same , '' she said . There was silence for a little while . An hour had passed since they began to talk , but it was still short of midnight , and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies . Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows , and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space , a little mellowed by the distance , but with the rhythm of its music intact . ` ` Oh , I could get into a ball - dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart , '' said Jeannie . ` ` But I wo n't ; I will do something much nicer , and that is I will hear from you the news of your year .