I knitted my brows.
"I wish," said I, "I could share your enthusiasm."
"Ah, but you haven't seen it."
"I know, but I don't even want to. If you'd come back raving about a piece of furniture or a jewel or a picture, I should have been interested. But a shawl… A shawl leaves me cold."
"I agree," said Jonah. "I've learned to appear attentive to the description of a frock. I keep a special indulgent smile for the incoherence inspired by a hat. But when you pipe to me the praises of a shawl—well, I'm unable to dance."
"Wait till you see it," said Adèle. "Besides, there were some lovely rugs."
"That's better," said I. "I like a good rug."
"Well, these were glorious," said Jill. "They had the most lovely sheen. But, of course, the shawl…"
"If anyone," said Jonah, "says that ugly word again, I shall scream."
It was half-past nine of a very beautiful morning, and we were breakfasting.