They tried to expostulate, to get out of it, but without avail. It seemed
easier to promise. Keith rushed out to look for his baggage, to arrange for
rooms, leaving the three together to await his return.




VI


Both Mrs. Sherwood and Sansome applied themselves to relieving whatever
embarrassment Nan might feel over this unusual situation. Sansome was
possessed of great charm and social experience. He could play the game of
light conversation to perfection. By way of bridging the pause in events,
he set himself to describing the society in which the Keiths would shortly
find themselves launched. His remarks were practically a monologue,
interspersed by irrepressible gurgles of laughter from Nan. Mrs. Sherwood
sat quietly by. She did not laugh, but it was evident she was amused. In
this congenial atmosphere Sansome outdid himself.

"They are all afraid of each other," he told her, "because they don't know
anything about each other. Each ex-washerwoman thinks the other ex-
washerwoman must have been at least a duchess at home. It's terribly funny.
If they can get hold of six porcelain statuettes, a half-dozen
antimacassars, some gilt chairs, and a glass bell of wax flowers, they
imagine they're elegantly furnished. And their functions! I give you my
word, I'd as soon attend a reasonably pleasant funeral! Some of them try to
entertain by playing intellectual games--you know, rhyming or spelling
games--seriously!" He went on to describe some of the women, mentioning no