"Yes—but still—Patricia, when may I really see you? When may I come for a good long talk? I want to hear all about your travels and everything."
"Of course—yes. I have no end of things to tell you." Patricia slowly buttoned her left glove. "Let me see I'm afraid every single day this week is full. I must write, and name some afternoon—next week."
Magda's face fell, while Patricia was wondering whether and how much Robert Royston might have said to his sister as to their meeting abroad. It was her intention to avoid being catechised about it by Magda; but, perhaps, on the whole, some slight allusion now was desirable, all the more since there was no time for the said catechising. So, with a little laugh, she remarked—
"You must have been amused to hear of my coming across your brother at Kandersteg."
"Rob! Not Rob!" cried Magda, in deep amazement. "Why, he never told me!"
This meant a good deal to Patricia, as a token of Rob's feelings. She only said, with a smile—
"He did not think it important enough."
"Oh, it couldn't be that! It wasn't that! And you met—really! Were you in the same hotel?"
Patricia held out a hand. "Can you manage these buttons for me? They are rather difficult. Yes, the same hotel. Just for three or four days or so. It was when he went up the Blümlisalphorn with his friend, Mr. Ivor."
"He sent me a picture-card, I remember. But he did not say a word about you!"