"Yes, I am. You've been too kind and patient with me, Olga."

He laid his hand over hers with a genuine impulse. It did not move
beneath his touch or return his pressure.

"Yes," she said coolly, "I think I have."

"Have I offended you?"

"No. Not at all--only disappointed me a little. I had such nice plans
for you."

He laughed.

"Olga, you're the most wonderful woman in the world. I don't deserve
your friendship. But I _did_ want to loaf--I worked pretty hard last
winter."

"Oh, you needn't evade me. I can't make you like my friends. But I
hoped you wouldn't disappoint them. Mrs. Berkley Hammond, the Gormeley
twins, and now Hermia--"

"Miss Challoner!" in surprise. "Her portrait! I thought she
disapproved of my method."

She smiled. "Oh, you don't know Hermia as I do. One is never more
certain in one's judgment of her than when one thinks one is wrong."
She gave a short laugh. "At any rate, she said she was going to speak
to you about it."