For some reason or other Nan felt reluctant to share with Penelope--or with anyone else just at present--the fact of her meeting with Peter Mallory.
"You caught your train all right at Paddington ?" went on Penelope.
Nan's mouth tilted in a faint smile.
"Quite all right," she responded placidly.
Finding that the question and answer process was not getting them very far, Penelope resumed her darning and announced her own small item of news.
"Kit's been here this afternoon," she said.
Nan shrugged her shoulders.
"Just my luck to miss her," she muttered irritably.
"No, it isn't 'just your luck,' my dear.

It's anyone's luck.

You make such a grievance of trifles." In an instant Nan's charming smile flashed out.
"I _am_ a _beast_," she said in a tone of acquiescence.

"What on earth should I do without you, Penny, to bully me and generally lick me into shape ?" She dropped a light kiss on the top of Penelope's bent head.
"But, truly, I hate to miss Kit Seymour.

She's as good as a tonic--and just now I feel like a bottle of champagne that's been uncorked for a week." "You're overtired," replied Penelope prosaically.