To the Russians his loquacity was in no way strange or unpleasant.

They were in the habit of unburdening themselves, their hopes, their disappointments, their joys, their tragedies, to the first strangers whom they met.

It seemed quite natural to them that Trenchard, puffing his rebellious pipe, should talk to them about Glebeshire, Polchester, Rafiel, Millie and Katherine Trenchard.
"I'd like you to meet Katherine, Anna Petrovna," he would say.

"You would find her delightful.

She's married now to a young man she ran away with, which surprised every one--her running away, I mean, because she was always considered such a serious character." "I forget whether you've seen my children, 'Mr.'" Anna Petrovna would reply.