Althea smiled sadly as she made the reflection, for she was not of an Epicurean temperament.

After she had drunk her tea she felt strengthened to go in and ask Amelie about her clothes.

She might have to get a great many new ones, especially if she went home for the autumn and winter, as she half intended to do.

She took up the roses, as she passed them, to show to Amelie.

Amelie was a bony, efficient Frenchwoman, with high cheek-bones and sleek black hair.
She had come to Althea first, many years ago, as a courier-maid, to take her back to America.