“Not at all,” exclaimed the Naval Officer’s wife, as she sat down unasked. “I came to welcome you to Draeth.”
Meeting with no answer she continued. “There is no society at all here, no intellectual companionship, nothing but the commonplace life of an insignificant fishing-town. Lest you should be dull, Annabel, my babe, and I will place all our spare hours at your disposal.”
“I am sure you mean very kindly.” The Brown Lady, who still dabbed at jam and cream with her knife, grew hot when she heard the calm even tones proceeding. “But we have come down here purposely to avoid the rush of the S——; that is, to be quiet and alone. I am sure you will understand when I say that we wish for no companionship but that of each other, during the short time we are here.”
As the Blue Lady spoke she opened the door, and with a slight inclination bowed the visitor from the room.
“Oh, Margaret!” The Blue Lady flicked crumbs across the table with unerring aim.
“No, Margaret, it’s no good being flippant and playing like that, I will speak. You were very rude to her, and you know you were.”
“Yes, I think I was, but courteously rude. How else could you treat a woman like that. Let’s have Mrs. Tregennis up and find out who in the name of fortune she is, and after that we’ll run down to the sea.”
The Blue Lady rang the bell, then singing, she whirled the little Brown Lady round and round the room:
“Oh, for the smell of the salt and the weed,