"Oh yes, she holds them; there's no mistake about that. 'I hold them, I hope, hein?' she seems to say to all the house." The young English professional laughed good-humouredly, and Sherringham was struck with the pleasant familiarity he had established with their brave companion. He was knowing and ready and he said in the first entr'acte—they were waiting for the second to go behind—amusing perceptive things. "They teach them to be ladylike and Voisin's always trying to show that. 'See how I walk, see how I sit, see how quiet I am and how I have le geste rare. Now can you say I ain't a lady?' She does it all as if she had a class."
"Well, to-night I'm her class," said Miriam.
"Oh I don't mean of actresses, but of femmes du monde. She shows them how to act in society."
"You had better take a few lessons," Miriam retorted.
"Ah you should see Voisin in society," Peter interposed.
"Does she go into it?" Mrs. Rooth demanded with interest.
Her friend hesitated. "She receives a great many people."
"Why shouldn't they when they're nice?" Mrs. Rooth frankly wanted to know.
"When the people are nice?" Miriam asked.
"Now don't tell me she's not what one would wish," said Mrs. Rooth to Sherringham.