They came by two trains early in the afternoon, and just at tea time,
and Lord Robert was among the last lot.
They are mostly the same sort as Lady Katherine, looking as good
as gold; but one woman, Lady Verningham, Lady Katherine’s niece, is
different, and I liked her at once.
She has lovely clothes, and an exquisite figure, and her hat on the
right way. She has charming manners too, but one can see she is on a
duty visit.
Even all this company did not altogether stop Mary Mackintosh laying
down the law upon domestic--infant domestic--affairs. We all sat in the
big drawing-room, and I caught Lady Verningham’s eye, and we laughed
together! The first eye with a meaning in it I have seen since I left
Branches.
Everybody talked so agreeably, with pauses, not enjoying themselves at
all, when Jean and Kirstie began about their work, and explained it,
and tried to get orders, and Jessie and Maggie too, and specimens of it
all had to be shown, and prices fixed. I should hate to have to beg,
even for a charity.
I felt quite uncomfortable for them, but they did not mind a bit, and
their victims were noble over it.
Our parson at Branches always got so red and nervous when he had to ask
for anything; one could see he was quite a gentleman--but women are
different, I suppose.