The protagonist reflects on attending an engineers' party with Peter, where the ambiance felt enjoyable despite the conversations being dull. The comfort at the party stemmed from the participants having a clear sense of their social standing, resulting in a relaxed environment. However, the context changes when she considers the societal norms of judgment that can occur behind people's backs, highlighting a sense of vulnerability among the attendees.

This perception of judgment creates an atmosphere charged with tension, where everyone feels they are under scrutiny regardless of their established status. The narrator conveys a feeling of unease, contrasting the outwardly pleasant environment with the underlying dynamics of competition and comparison. It emphasizes the complexity of social interactions, where perceived cleverness and anxiety influence people's interactions and how they view themselves and each other.