I caught a movement in Great-aunt’s corner.
“Coffee, Auntie?”
She gave me a goblin glance.
“My daughter!” She had an air of introducing her triumphantly. “Listen! She don’t like fat women.”
We listened. Anita’s voice was mellow with cordiality.
“Yes indeed. Madala has often said to me that she thought you well worth encouraging.”
Miss Howe laughed jollily.
“I admire your articles, Nita. I wilt when you review me. But you’ll never write novels, darling. You’ve not the ear. Madala may have said that, but she didn’t say it in that way.”
“She certainly said it.”
“Some day I’ll ask her.”