"If I haven't chattered you to death!" Norma said, penitentially. And Leslie added: "Aunt Alice, you do look tired! Not that talking poetry ever would tire you!" she hastened to add, with a smile for Norma.
"No, I'm not—or rather, I was, but I feel wonderfully!" Alice said. "Pour the tea, Kitten. What have you two little adventurers been doing with yourselves?"
"Mrs. Dupré's party—Yvette Guilbert," Leslie said. "She is quite too wonderful!"
"I've always wanted to see her, and I've always known I would adore her," Norma interpolated, dreamily.
Alice glanced at her quickly.
"Does she give another matinée, Leslie?"
"Two——" Leslie looked at Acton. "Is it two weeks from to-day?" she questioned.
"I'll send you seats for it," Alice said, making a little note on her ivory memoranda pages, as she nodded to Norma. The colour rushed into Norma's face, and she bit her lip.
"But, Mrs. Liggett—honestly—I truly didn't mean—I only meant——" she began to stammer, half laughing. Alice laid her hand upon Norma's reassuringly.
"My dear, you know I don't think you hinted! But I want to do it. I can't"—Alice said, smiling—"I can't do anything for little Miss Aladdin here, and it gives me the greatest pleasure, now and then——"