"Why do you put it that way?" asked Patty, smiling; "don't you like to go yourself?"
"Yes, of course I do; but I always say that when people ask me to do anything. It's habit, I suppose. All English people say it."
"I suppose it is habit," said Patty; "but it seems to me you'd have a whole lot better time if you felt more interest in things, or rather, if you expressed more interest. Now look at the Van Ness girls; they're just bubbling over with enthusiasm."
"The Van Ness girls are savages," remarked Florrie, with an air of decision.
"Indeed they're not!" cried Patty, who was always ready to stand up for her friends. "The trouble with you, Florrie, is that you're narrow-minded; you think that unless people have your ways and your manners they are no good at all."
"Not quite that," returned Florrie, laughing. "Of course, we English have our prejudices, and other people call us narrow; but I think we shall always be so."
"I suppose you will," said Patty; "but anyway you would have more fun if you enjoyed yourself more."
"It's good of you, Patty, to care whether I enjoy myself or not."
Florrie's tone was so sincere and humble as she said this that Patty began to realise there was a good deal of character under Florrie's indifferent manner.
"Of course I care. I have grown to like you, Florrie, in these few days, and I want to be good friends with you, if you'll let me."