A wind , odour-freighted , blew daintily across it . Anne leaned against a white birch tree in the corner and laughed heartily , as she was apt to do whenever she thought of Ludovic and Theodora . To her eager youth , this courtship of theirs seemed a very amusing thing . She liked Ludovic , but allowed herself to be provoked with him . `` The dear , big , irritating goose ! '' she said aloud . `` There never was such a lovable idiot before . He 's just like the alligator in the old rhyme , who would n't go along , and would n't keep still , but just kept bobbing up and down . '' Two evenings later , when Anne went over to the Dix place , she and Theodora drifted into a conversation about Ludovic . Theodora , who was the most industrious soul alive , and had a mania for fancy work into the bargain , was busying her smooth , plump fingers with a very elaborate Battenburg lace centre-piece . Anne was lying back in a little rocker , with her slim hands folded in her lap , watching Theodora . She realized that Theodora was very handsome , in a stately , Juno-like fashion of firm , white flesh , large , clearly-chiselled outlines , and great , cowey , brown eyes . When Theodora was not smiling , she looked very imposing . Anne thought it likely that Ludovic held her in awe . `` Did you and Ludovic talk about Christian Science ALL Saturday evening ? '' she asked . Theodora overflowed into a smile . `` Yes , and we even quarrelled over it . At least I did . Ludovic would n't quarrel with anyone .
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