“We hardly expected to come to a pension,” said Mrs. Ruck. “But we thought we would try; we had heard so much about Swiss pensions. I was saying to Mr. Ruck that I wondered whether this was a favourable specimen. I was afraid we might have made a mistake.”
“We knew some people who had been here; they thought everything of Madame Beaurepas,” said Miss Sophy. “They said she was a real friend.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Parker—perhaps you have heard her speak of them,” Mrs. Ruck pursued.
“Madame Beaurepas has had a great many Americans; she is very fond of Americans,” I replied.
“Well, I must say I should think she would be, if she compares them with some others.”
“Mother is always comparing,” observed Miss Ruck.
“Of course I am always comparing,” rejoined the elder lady. “I never had a chance till now; I never knew my privileges. Give me an American!” And Mrs. Ruck indulged in a little laugh.
“Well, I must say there are some things I like over here,” said Miss Sophy, with courage. And indeed I could see that she was a young woman of great decision.
“You like the shops—that’s what you like,” her father affirmed.
The young lady addressed herself to me, without heeding this remark. “I suppose you feel quite at home here.”