"With many thanks for your kindly expressions of good-will toward me, I am
"Very truly yours,
"VALERIE WEST."
She had been too tired to call at Querida's studio, too tired even to take tea at the Plaza with Neville.
Rita came in, silent and out of spirits, and replied in monosyllables to
Valerie's inquiries.
It finally transpired that Sam Ogilvy and Harry Annan had been tormenting John Burleson after their own fashion until their inanity had exasperated her and she expressed herself freely to everybody concerned.
"It makes me very angry," she said, "to have a lot of brainless people believe that John Burleson is stupid. He isn't; he is merely a trifle literal, and far too intelligent to see any humour in the silly capers Sam and Harry cut."
Valerie, who was feeling better, sipped her tea and nibbled her toast, much amused at Rita's championship of the big sculptor.
"John is a dear," she said, "but even his most enthusiastic partisans could hardly characterise him as a humorist."
"He's not a clown—if that's what you mean," said Rita shortly.