"No, it sounds like this guy needed you more than I did. I hope you were still able to enjoy yourself, though." He thinks it's kind of nice that Gwen doesn't elaborate more on this person's personal situation. Somehow it makes him feel like their own conversations are similarly protected and valued.

Webster laughs at himself for thinking that. He's self-aware enough to see that he's taking everything she does and assigning it some larger, deeper significance. This was just one date. Not even a date. They were each others' dates.

"My ride was fine," Webster says, not particularly interested in elaborating. There isn't much really to say. Plus, he's here now and just wants to be in this moment. Their fellow classmates are starting to disperse and he can feel the night coming to a close. The fairy tales always end at midnight; the carriage turns back into a pumpkin, the gown into a simple dress. The evening's charms have worn off -- their faces and voices having returned -- yet the two of them are still together. He knows their night is now on borrowed time.

"Can I walk you back to your cabin?" Webster asks, offering his elbow for Gwen to take, hoping to extend the evening just a little longer.