r why you say that … that it would not seem so to me。〃
Katherine laughed。 〃I don't really know。 I suppose one forms impressions without thinking of it。 I put you down in my own mind as one of the very rich of the earth。 It was just an impression。 I dare say I am wrong。〃
〃No；〃 said Ruth； 〃you are not wrong。〃
She had suddenly bee very grave。 〃I wish you would tell me what other impressions you formed about me？〃
〃I …〃
Ruth swept on disregarding the other's embarrassment。
〃Oh； please； don't be conventional。 I want to know。 As we left Victoria I looked across at you； and I had the sort of feeling that you … well； understood what was going on in my mind。〃
〃I can assure you I am not a mind reader；〃 said Katherine； smiling。
〃No； but will you tell me； please； just what you thought。〃 Ruth's eagerness was so intense and so sincere that she carried her point。
〃I will tell you if you like； but you must not think me impertinent。 I thought that for some reason you were in great distress of mind； and I was sorry for you。〃
〃You are right。 You are quite right。 I am in terrible trouble。 I … I should like to tell you something about it； if I may。〃
〃Oh； dear；〃 Katherine thought to herself； 〃how extraordinarily alike the world seems to be everywhere！ People were always telling me things in St Mary Mead； and it is just the same thing here； and I don't really want to hear anybody's troubles！〃
She replied politely：
〃Do tell me。〃
They were just finishing their lunch。 Ruth gulped down her coffee； rose from her seat； and quite oblivious of the fact that Katherine had not begun to sip her coffee； said： 〃e to my partment with me。〃
They were two single partments with a municating door between them