A girl's most intelligent friend is her mother--or the relative acting as such.
Perhaps you consider that Tishy takes your place!" Mrs.Brookenham waited so long to say what she considered that before she next spoke the question appeared to have dropped.

Then she only replied as if suddenly remembering her manners: "Won't you eat something ?" She indicated a particular plate.

"One of the nice little round ones ?" The Duchess appropriated a nice little round one and her hostess presently went on: "There's one thing I mustn't forget--don't let us eat them ALL.

I believe they're what Lord Petherton really comes for." The Duchess finished her mouthful imperturbably before she took this up.
"Does he come so often ?" Mrs.Brookenham might have been, for judicious candour, the Muse of History.

"I don't know what he calls it; but he said yesterday that he'd come today.