"Do paint a little picture of her," she repeated. "She would love it,
and make it young and interesting. Think over it, anyhow: perhaps
you'll think of something better than that. And now won't you go and
secure all your guests for Christmas at once?"
Georgie turned to leave the room, but just as he got to the door she
spoke again:
"I think you're a brick," she said.
Somehow this undemonstrative expression of approval began to glow in
Georgie's heart as he walked home. Apparently she took it for granted
that he was going to behave with all the perfect tact and good-temper
that he had shown. It did not surprise her in the least, she had almost
forgotten to indicate that she had noticed it at all. And that, as he
thought about it, seemed a far deeper compliment than if she had told
him how wonderful he was. She took it for granted, no more nor less,
that he would be kind and pleasant, whatever Lucia said. He had not
fallen short of her standard....
Chapter FIFTEEN
Georgie's Christmas party had just taken its seats at his round
rosewood table without a cloth, and he hoped that Foljambe would be
quick with the champagne, because there had been rather a long wait
before dinner, owing to Lucia and Peppino being late, and conversation
had been a little jerky. Lucia, as usual, had sailed into the room,
without a word of apology, for she was accustomed to come last when she
went out to dinner, and on her arrival dinner was always announced
immediately.
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