"What day does the West London Observer come out?" asked Annie, presently, of Mavis.
"Friday, I believe."
"There should be some account of yesterday's proceedings," said Miss Helen. "The very proper references which Mr Smiley made to our acquaintance with the late Mr Ruskin are worthy of comment."
"I have never known the applause to be so hearty as it was yesterday," remarked Annie, after she had eaten her first piece of toast.
"What is the matter, Mavis?" asked Miss Helen.
"A crumb stuck in my throat," replied Mavis, saying what was untrue, as she bent over her plate. This action was necessary to hide the smile that rose to her lips and eyes at the recollection of yesterday's applause, to which Miss Annie had referred. It had amused Mavis to notice the isolated clapping which followed the execution of an item, in the programme by a solitary performer; this came from her friends in the room. The conclusion of a duet would be greeted by two patches of appreciation; whilst a pianoforte concerto, which engaged sixteen hands, merged the eight oases of applause into a roar of approval.
"How do you get to Paddington, Mavis?" asked Miss Helen, after she had finished her meagre breakfast.
"From Addison Road," replied Mavis, who was still eating.
"Wouldn't Shepherd's Bush be better?" asked Annie, who was wondering if she could find accommodation for a further piece of toast.
"I always recommend parents to send their daughters from Paddington via Addison Road," remarked Helen severely.