Miss Smeardon settled herself for conversation. “I’m afraid you will find me but a 198 dull companion, Mrs. Loring,” she said, glancing sideways at Robinette from under the brim of her mushroom hat.
“Oh, you will be able to tell me who everyone is,” said Robinette as cheerfully as she could.
“I am no gossip,” Miss Smeardon protested.
“It isn’t necessary to gossip, is it?––but I’ve a wholesome interest in my fellow creatures.”
“And it is well to know about people a little; when one comes among strangers as you do, Mrs. Loring; one can’t be too careful––an American, particularly.”
Miss Smeardon’s voice trailed off upon a note of insinuation; but Robinette took no notice of the remark. She did not seem to have anything to say, so Miss Smeardon took up another subject.
“What a pity that Mr. Lavendar had to leave before this afternoon; he would have been such an addition to our party!”
“Yes, wouldn’t he?” Robinette agreed, though she carefully kept out of her voice the real passion of assent that was in her heart.
“Mr. Lavendar is so agreeable, I always think,” Miss Smeardon went on. “Everyone likes him; he almost carries his pleasant ways too far. I suppose that was how––” She paused, and added again, “Oh, but as I said, I never talk scandal!”