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.