"It's a little difficult to be `interesting' to order. What particular kind of narrative would distract you best?" "Oh--something about yourself. Something you have done, or felt, or planned for another day. I'm so interested in people!" returned Margot, wrapping the folds of her cloak more closely round her, and slipping her hands deep down into the inside pockets. "Have you had any thrilling experiences or adventures that you don't mind speaking about? The more thrilling the better, please, for my feet _are_ so cold!" She shivered, in involuntary childish fashion, and George Elgood sighed profoundly. "This is about the biggest adventure I've had. I was once snowed up for a night in a rest-house on one of the Swiss mountains, but we had every ordinary comfort, and knew exactly where we were, so that it didn't amount to much, after all. I was going up with my guide, and met another party of two brothers and a sister coming down, and we all took shelter together, while one of the guides returned to the village, to let the people in the hotel know of our safety. When the door was open the prospect was sufficiently eerie, but we made a fire and brewed tea, and passed the time pleasantly enough. The worst part of it was that I had to give up the ascent next day, as there was too much snow to make it prudent to go on." "Oh! Yes! Was she pretty?" She felt, rather than saw, his start of surprise. "Who?" "The sister. You said there was a girl in the other party." "I'm _sure_ I don't know! I didn't notice." "Don't you care how people look?" "It doesn't interest me, unless I am already attracted in other ways. At least--" he hesitated conscientiously. "I _used_ not to be. I think I am growing more noticing. Geoff always said I needed to be awakened to the claims of beauty. I understand now that it may be a great additional charm." How did he understand? Who or what had increased his power of observation? Margot hoped that she knew; longed to be certain, yet dreaded the definite information. In a little flurry of nervousness she began to talk volubly on her own account, hoping thereby to ward off embarrassing explanations.