“Who’s she waving to?” asked the captain.
“The radio-operator.”
Miss Price was waiting on the quay to welcome her. When they had passed the Customs and got rid of Miss Reid’s heavy luggage they went to Miss Price’s house and had an early cup of tea. Miss Reid’s train did not start till five. Miss Price had much to tell Miss Reid.
“But it’s too bad of me to go on like this when you’ve just come home. I’ve been looking forward to hearing all about your journey.”
“I’m afraid there’s not very much to tell.”
“I can’t believe that. Your trip was a success, wasn’t it?”
“A distinct success. It was very nice.”
“And you didn’t mind being with all those Germans?”
“Of course they’re not like English people. One has to get used to their ways. They sometimes do things that-well, that English people wouldn’t do, you know. But I always think that one has to take things as they come.”
“What sort of things do you mean?”
Miss Reid looked at her friend calmly. Her long, stupid face had a placid look, and Miss Price never noticed that in the eyes was a strangely mischievous twinkle.
“Things of no importance really. Just funny, unexpected, rather nice things. There’s no doubt that travel is a wonderful education.”
The Complete Short Stories of W. Somerset Maugham - II - The World Over Page 80