Page:Alice Lauder.pdf/162

Granby’s deep cathedral voice intoning to her neighbours, ‘Yes, I can assure you, it is quite threepence a yard cheaper there than at any other place in town,’ and her youngest daughter from the opposite doorway exclaiming, with her intermittent giggle, ‘Oh, we had such fun! You can’t think! It will make you die of laughing! Giggle—giggle—giggle!’ while from the other side of the screen came in lower pitched but perfectly distinct accents, ‘Yes, I know he was there quite four hours this afternoon! Of course, you won’t mention it to anyone, but really———’ . . . . ‘How well Mrs. Austin is looking tonight!’ I broke in suddenly in needlessly loud tones, for I did not desire my neighbour to overhear any more of our social secrets. ‘She always reminds me of a picture of Spring. You ought to get her painted by a really good artist,’ I went on hurriedly, determined to leave no blanks in our conversation.

“‘You admire my wife! Yes, and if I may say so, with justice, Miss Lauder. She has a lovely countenance. Perhaps it would not be too indiscreet in me to say that she reciprocates your feeling. She is much admired, I am aware of that, but few people know what goodness, what a guileless simplicity of nature is hers. She is almost too unworldly and———’