"Why, yes. Most people like adoration—when they can get it, aunt Ju! Magda's state is simply worshipping! You know the sort of thing."
"Perhaps I do. And you are fond of her?"
"Yes, of course." The manner was not enthusiastic. "She is a nice enough girl—in her way. School-girlish!"
"And that was her brother who was going up the Blümlisalp—the one you spoke to!"
Patricia had taken Mrs. Norman somewhat aback, after table d'hôte, by accosting Rob as the brother of her new Burwood friend. Mrs. Norman held certain rather old-fashioned notions, and objected to casual acquaintances.
"Yes. I had only seen him once before, in a freezing March blizzard; but I liked his face then—and there was no mistaking it!"
"Would you not have been wiser to wait for an introduction?"
Patricia yawned gracefully behind her hand, at the first suspicion of fault-finding; and to yawn gracefully is a feat possible to few. A widely-extended jaw shows most faces at their worst.
"People don't wait for introductions in foreign hotels."
"It might be as well if they did sometimes. Mrs. Framley is particular!"