You know how some people beg you to visit them, and when you go they seem to wear a surprised look, and you feel unexpected and awkward?
The Duncans make you feel so pleased with yourself.

They are so unselfishly interested in other people's concerns; and they are grand laughers.

Even the dullest warm to something approaching wit when surrounded by that appreciative audience of three.
They don't talk much themselves, but they have made of listening a fine art." "Jean," said Pamela, "do you actually mean to tell me that everybody in Priorsford is nice?
Or are you merely being charitable?
I don't know anything duller than your charitable person who always says the kind thing." Jean laughed.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid the Priorsford people are all more or less nice.

At least, they seem so to me, but perhaps I'm not very discriminating.