For a few seconds Maud, too, forgot how one formed entire English words. Then she blurted, “So it’s not that you don’t think I’m—I mean, that you find me—” Not much better. Violet lifted a restless hand and rubbed at the back of her own neck, as if something there had bothered her. The weight of her gaze on Maud’s skin was like stepping into sunlight from shadow. “You’re completely lovely and someone should have taught you it’s rude to fish for compliments,” said Violet, flat. “They did,” said Maud. “I ignored them. Do you . . .”
