“As if there were such things,” said Mr. Geary disdainfully.
Lee turned to Randolph. “You look a whole generation older than Ned,” she said, with the sensation of having just made the discovery of how much improved he was. “I believe you could almost bring yourself to believe in a ghost.”
He smiled and opened her parasol. “And you, I am afraid, have taken on at least a century—without being aware of the fact. I am afraid you will realise it when you return to California.”
“I want California more and more every day.”
“We shall see. The changes of association are very subtle. I can only hope they are not so deeply wrought in you as they sometimes appear to be—that you will really enjoy your year in California, I mean.”
They were walking toward the fell, and the others were some distance behind.
“I am going to ask Aunty to invite Mary Gifford to go back with us. She is my best friend here and she is simply dying for a change.”
“I am sure mother will be delighted. She will undertake her reformation at once.”
“That is what I told Emmy. How do you like her—Mary, I mean?”
“She interests me very much, if only to see how wide she can open her mouth.”