A long clinging silence depreciated the conversational prowess of Adelaide Maud.
"Well," she said, in a conventional voice, "We've had a lovely day. Let me know when you are going to another concert. And I shall send you full particulars about Lady Emily."
They were walking along Regent Street to find their shop for the flowers. It seemed that Adelaide Maud was about to desert them. She beckoned for a hansom and got inside. Mabel and Jean felt that they said good-bye to Miss Dudgeon of The Oaks. In another second they had gone on and Adelaide Maud had had her hansom pulled up beside them again.
"Jean, Jean," she called, quite radiant again. "I forgot the most important thing. It's about lessons. Do you think that your Splashkaspitskoff would condescend to give me some?"
It was rather mad of Adelaide Maud, but she got out and paid off the hansom.
"It isn't so late as I thought it was," she said lamely. But Mabel knew that she came to make up.
Jean only thought of the lessons.
"You will find him so splendid," she said, "and such a gentleman."
"I like that," said Mabel. "Why--he talks about the most revolting things."
"It's his manners that are so wonderful," said Jean in a championing manner. They had found their shop by this time and were looking at white roses. When Mabel said, "Do you think these are nice?" Jean might be heard explaining, "It's the method you know that is so wonderful."