“Oh, nearly everybody knew something. That is, every one we’ve met in the last five years. Before that, there was Miss De Voe, and grandpapa, of course, when he came over in 1879—”
“But,” interrupted Peter, “I don’t think I had met him once before that time, except at the Shrubberies.”
“No, he hadn’t seen you. But he knew a lot about you, from Mr. Lapharn and Mr. Avery, and some other men who had met you.”
“Who else?”
“Miss Leroy, mamma’s bridesmaid, who spent two weeks at our villa near Florence, and Dr. Purple, your clergyman, who was in the same house with us at Ober-Ammergau, and—and—oh the best were Mr. and Mrs. Rivington. They were in Jersey, having their honeymoon. They told me more than all the rest put together.”
“I feel quite safe in their hands. Dorothy and I formed a mutual admiration society a good many years ago.”
“She and Mr. Rivington couldn’t say enough good of you.”
“You must make allowance for the fact that they were on their wedding journey, and probably saw everything rose-colored.”
“That was it. Dorothy told me about your giving Mr. Rivington a full partnership, in order that Mr. Ogden should give his consent.”
Peter laughed.