‘Will you talk to me about the Moon and Stars? … Would it amuse you?’
Miss O’Brookomore raised herself … A young man whom she had never seen until now stood before her.
‘I shall be delighted to talk to you about anything,’ she replied.
‘When did you arrive?’
‘My dear, we only got here yesterday.’
There came a voice of protest.
‘Oh, Gerald! It was the day before.’
‘What are your impressions of Olympia?’
‘I love it, I think it sweet.’
‘Everybody says the same.’
Miss O’Brookomore breathed a sigh.
‘I should like you to be my Literary Executor,’ she said.
He knelt down and took her hand.
‘No, my dear Thing!’ he answered. ‘I’m sorry – but I simply can’t. Simply I should love to, my dear Thing! But it’s impossible …’
Miss Collins rose discreetly.
‘Gerald – I think I shall leave you,’ she said.