“Well,” said Bessie, “we expect nothing unreasonable.”
The duchess for a moment was silent, though she appeared to have more to say. “Lambeth says he has seen so much of you,” she presently began.
“He has been to see us very often; he has been very kind,” said Bessie Alden.
“I daresay you are used to that. I am told there is a great deal of that in America.”
“A great deal of kindness?” the young girl inquired, smiling.
“Is that what you call it? I know you have different expressions.”
“We certainly don’t always understand each other,” said Mrs. Westgate, the termination of whose interview with Lady Pimlico allowed her to give her attention to their elder visitor.
“I am speaking of the young men calling so much upon the young ladies,” the duchess explained.
“But surely in England,” said Mrs. Westgate, “the young ladies don’t call upon the young men?”
“Some of them do—almost!” Lady Pimlico declared. “What the young men are a great parti.”