The girl rose and bowed formally. Then fell back into her chair.
Anne came to her side. With quick pity, saying the first thing that came into her head. “It’s a frightful trip up here, isn’t it? You must be simply starving, I will order luncheon immediately.”
She was about to enter the house, but Claire stopped her with a quick little gesture of refusal.
“Thank you, that is very kind. But I really couldn’t eat anything—that is——-” she faltered bravely. “I had a sandwich on the train.”
Her pathetic attempt at dignity went to Anne’s heart.
“Oh, yes, of course,” she said, “and now if you will excuse me, I will leave you two alone. I’m sure you have a great deal to talk about.”
With a nod and a kind little smile, she disappeared into the house.
Her perfect exit irritated Claire. With a sudden excess of pride, she turned to Alexis and looked at him coldly.
“You’re very fortunate in your hostess,” she said with unexpected poise. “How did you happen to meet her?”
Alexis sat down on the railing and faced his wife.