"But I have to thank you for coming as well.

Now let us shake hands, or we shan't feel properly acquainted." Janet detected a half-tone of patronage in her voice, and fell into a rage with herself because of it.

She looked at Elfrida sharply to note a possible resentment, but there was none.

If she had looked a trifle more sharply she might have observed a subtler patronage in the little smile her visitor received this commonplace with; but, like the other, she was too much occupied in considering her personal effect.

She had become suddenly desirous that it should be a good one.
Elfrida went on in the personal key.