“You don't suppose you can go about without affecting your fellow-creatures? It is well that you don't know what a disturbing element you are.”
She turned her head away and closed her eyes for a second or two, for the words she had overheard there by the hedge, last evening, rang in her ears. Perhaps it had been well for Jimmie if he had known. Before he had time to reply, she recovered herself, and added quickly:
“I am glad you are enjoying yourself.”
“How can I help it when every one is so kind to me?” he said brightly. “I came down here an obscure painter, a veritable pictor ignotus, and all your friends are as charming to me as if I were the President of the Royal Academy.”
Connie Deering came up with a message for Norma and carried her off to the house.
“How does Jimmie like being lionised?” she asked on the way.
Norma repeated his last speech.
“He has n't any idea of the people's motives.” She added somewhat hysterically:
“The man is half fool, half angel—”
“And altogether a man. Don't you make any mistake about that,” said Connie, with a pretty air of finality. “You don't know as much about him as I do.”