She dropped down into the upholstered chair beside the base-burner, the pink and moisture of exertion out in her face, took to fanning herself with the end of a face-towel flung across her arm.
"Poor gramaw!" she said. "Poor gramaw!"
Miss Coblenz sat down on the edge of a slim, home-gilded chair, and took to gathering the blue-silk dress into little plaits at her knee.
"Of course, if you don't want to know where I've been—or anything—"
Mrs. Coblenz jerked herself to the moment.
"Did mama's girl have a good time? Look at your dress, all dusty! You oughtn't to wear your best in that little flivver."
Suddenly Miss Coblenz raised her glance, her red mouth bunched, her eyes all iris.
"Of course—if you don't want to know—anything."
At that large, brilliant gaze, Mrs. Coblenz leaned forward, quickened.
"Why, Selene!"