sion as informal as possible.
‘Do you, by chance, know the Hodgson Bulls?’ she asked of her relative, interrupting him in the nervous commonplaces with which he was endeavouring to smooth the way to a general conversation. She had the accent of cultivation, but spoke rather imperiously.
‘I never heard of them,’ was the cold reply.
‘No? They live somewhere about here. I have to make a call on them. I suppose my coachman will find the place.’
There was an awkward silence. Widdowson was about to say something to Monica, when Mrs. Luke, who had again closely observed the girl through the glasses, interposed in a gentle tone.
‘Do you like this neighbourhood, Miss Madden?’
Monica gave the expected answer, her voice sounding very weak and timid by comparison. And so, for some ten minutes, an appearance of dialogue was sustained. Mrs. Luke, though still condescending, evinced a desire to be agreeable; she smiled and nodded in reply to the girl’s Ostaa Halpa Nike Air Max 2017 Miehet remarks, and occasionally addressed Alexis Sanchez Tröja Virginia with careful civility, conveying the impression, perhaps involuntarily, that she commiserated the shy and shabbily-dressed person. Tea was brought in, and after pretending to take a cup, she rose for departure.
‘Perhaps you will come and see me some day, Miss Madden,’ fell from her with unanticipated graciousness, as she stepped forward to Halpa Moncler Takit Miehet the girl Dame Edmonton Oilers and offered her hand. ‘Edmund must bring you — at some quiet time when we can talk. Very glad to have met you — very glad indeed.’
And the personage was gone; they heard her carriage roll away from beneath the window. All three drew a Maillot Slovaquie Pas CHer breath Chelsea Drakt Barn of relief, and Widdowson, suddenly quite another man, took a place near to Virginia, with whom in a few minutes he was conversing in the friendliest way. Virginia, experiencing a like relief, also became Andres Iniesta Drakt herself; she found courage to ask needful questions, which in every case were satisfactorily met. Of Mrs. Luke there was no word, but when they had taken their leave — the visit lasted altogether so |