Explore "Philippa" by Mary Louisa Molesworth on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The Bertrams were the most hospitable people in the world. Wherever you came across them, in London, or at their own rambling country-house, in a villa at Cannes, or on board a dahabeeyah on the Nile, it was all one. They were always delighted to see you, and uneasy till you promised to stay with them indefinitely, or, at least, to come to luncheon or dinner as long as you were within hail.
And all this in spite of a constant amount of things to see to, none of which were neglected by her, and very far from robust health on little Lady Mary's part! Her Irish ancestry explained a good deal, said some, "Irish people are _so_ hospitable, you know," As if the virtue in question was an inherited quality for which no credit was due to the possessor. "Her kind heart," for surely no kinder heart ever beat, had something to say to it, said those who knew and loved her as she deserved, among whom Maida Lermont was certainly to be reckoned.