"Oh, I didn't know that," said Susan, without a trace of doubt or of sarcasm.
"How could you? Besides, Sennier is a great man, the only man we have, in fact. So you were going to stay with the Heaths?"
"I am going. I promised Charmian Heath."
"When?"
"In about ten days, I think. My mother is rather unwell, only a bad cold. But I like to be at Folkestone to help Mrs. Simpkins."
"Susan, what an extraordinary person you are!"
"Why?"
"You are. But you are so extraordinary that I could never make you see why. Sandringham and Mrs. Simpkins! There is no one like you."
She branched off to various topics, but presently returned to the Algerian visit.
"What do you think of Charmian Heath, Susan—really think, I mean? Do you care for her?"