"Yes, my home is in New York. But six months is a long, long time," she added, smiling. She was amused at the open, admiring gaze of her visitor.
"I guess you'll have enough of it before six months is out. City people don't care much for Ashfield—that is, unless they stay and get used to it."
"Is it so very unpleasant here then?" asked Venna.
"Mercy, no!" exclaimed Bessie, ready to defend her own home town. "It's a dandy place when you're right in with everything. The summer people always stay on the outside—just look on, yer know, and of course it's awful slow compared to city life, and just being on the outside makes it slower."
"Yes, I understand. To like country life, one must know everyone for miles around," remarked Venna.
"Exactly, I don't suppose you'll want to do that, though," Bessie returned with hesitation.
"Not quite—as we don't expect to stay. But I won't remain on the 'outside' while I'm here. This life will be too interesting to me to ignore it. Tell me, what is the most important diversion in Ashfield?"
"Going to Church, I guess—or, the movies over in Ellenville," replied Bessie.
Venna laughed.
"Which do you like best?" she asked.