Chapter 195

• Arni watched Orla with the fabric merchant’s grandson, and, seeing the look on her face, wondered what had caused it. Why was he so curious about her? She meant nothing to him, and that was the way he intended things to stay.
• The fabric merchant was telling Orla that if she were to let him have some drawings and details of what she wanted, he could arrange to have some sample patterns made up for her. Orla handed the little girl back to her mother and reached for her notebook and the samples, swiftly selecting colors and patterns in the combinations she thought she would need. Her manner was now businesslike and focused.
• Arni observed that she had an easy rapport with people and a natural way of communicating with them. She respected their professionalism, and he could see that they in turn respected hers.