I had never been a welcome person to Hortense, and she made as little effort to conceal this as usual. Her indifferent eyes glanced at me with drowsy insolence, and she made her beautiful, low voice as remote and inattentive as her skilful social equipment could render it.
"It is so hot in the cabin."
This was all she had for me. Then she looked at Gazza with returning animation.
"Oh, la la!" said Gazza. "If it is hot in the cabin!" And he flirted his handkerchief back and forth.
"I think I had the best of it," I remarked. "All the melody and none of the temperature."
Hortense saw no need of noticing me further
"The singer has the worst of it," said Gazza.
"But since you all sang!" I laughed.
"Miss Rieppe, she is cool," continued Gazza. "And she danced. It is not fair."
John contr
