Mrs. Barton wanted to tell her daughter to introduce her unknown friend, but it appeared from Alice’s expression that any suggestion to this effect might precipitate her into lunacy. Mr. Foster said in his gentle way, ‘Will you introduce me?’
‘Oh,’ said Alice, looking in a fixed way in front of her, ‘it’s Mr. Foster, mother, that was so kind to me,’ and backed into the wireless.
Mrs. Barton, thinking it best to ignore her daughter, began to talk to Mr. Foster. They were both fond of Lady Pomfret, both knew Italy, both liked pictures, and they got on extremely well. When Sally came back she found her guests talking away like old friends.
‘I thought you and Gillie would get on,’ she said to Mrs. Barton. ‘He’s been helping me with the accounts this afternoon. I thought he ought to know a b
