Captain Van Horne gave her an amused glance, lifting his brows as if to inquire if it made no difference to her with whom she came.
Cathalina caught his glance, understood it, and added with a smile, “But it is very much nicer to be with congenial company!”
“Have I ever told you how much I appreciated your being so good to me last summer?”
“Why, yes, you made the most pleasant of remarks whenever you left our little circle.”
“But it was more than just the ordinary appreciation of courtesy, Miss Van Buskirk. It was like heaven out at your place to a fellow who was staying in a hot room in town and studying and working away as I was. And to get out there, and eat ambrosia with a bevy of goddesses, was, indeed, to visit Olympus, especially when the chief goddess was as kind as you.”
“You are very flattering, Captain Van Horne. I think I never was called a goddess before,” said Cathalina, laughing. “I wanted to have a better visit with you myself, but I was hostess, you know, and had so many folks to look after.”
“I knew that, but I never could refuse any of your invitations.”
“We wanted you to be there as much as possible. At a house party, you know, one has to put a good deal in a short time. I hope we did not take too much of your time.”
“No, indeed; I just existed till the next time. I think I was out at your place every day while you were there, either for dinner, a party or a call!”
“Well, you had to make your party calls, didn’t you?”