'It is very difficult,' said Lady Bandobust--'extremely difficult. It is
impossible that you should know how difficult it is.'
I remarked modestly, by way of reply, that I believed few things worth
having were easy to get.
Lady Bandobust ignored the generalisation. 'As Mr. Pink has probably
told you, it costs money,' said she, with another little concessive
smile.
'Then, perhaps, it is not so difficult after all,' I replied, amiably.
Lady Bandobust gave me another sharp look. 'Only you rich Americans
can afford to say that,' she said. 'But Mr. Pink has told me that the
expense would in all likelihood be a matter of indifference to your
people. That, of course, is important.'
'Poppa doesn't scrimp,' I said. 'He likes us to have a good time.'
'Regardless,' said Lady Bandobust--'regardless of the cost! That is very
liberal.'
'Americans,' she went on, 'in English society are very fortunate. They
are always considered as--as Americans, you understand----'
'I'm afraid I don't,' said I.
'And I think, on the whole, they are rather liked. Yes generally
speaking, I think I may say they are liked.'