“I agree with the spirit of that, if not the letter,” said Mr. Hepworth, kindly; and Patty said:
“Yes, she needs to be jollied; and, you take it from me, she’s going to get jollied!”
CHAPTER XX
A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION
As Nan had surmised, Christine was worn out by her day of fatigue and excitement, and the next morning found her possessed of better mental poise and a more placid manner.
And as more days went by the girl improved greatly in demeanour and bearing, and lost, to a great degree, her look of startled fear and painful self-consciousness. Of course this was not accomplished completely, or all at once, but helped by the kind gentleness of Nan and affectionate chaffing of Patty, Christine grew more accustomed to the pleasant social atmosphere into which she had been so suddenly thrown.
They visited picture galleries and went to the shops, and went driving and motoring, and though Christine could not be persuaded to go to afternoon teas, or to formal luncheons, yet she enjoyed the pleasures she had and grew every day more at her ease in society.
Her own determination helped her greatly. She purposed to yet become as unaffected and un-self-conscious as Patty, and, though she knew she could never acquire Patty’s inborn gaiety of spirit, she resolved to come as near to it as she could with her naturally quiet disposition.