at
we've stayed away a week longer than we intended, the fell date is upon
us before we can breathe. Do you suppose many people will come?"

Martin's shrug was eloquent.

"Every adult feminine creature who can crawl on two legs from a radius
of five miles around, will crawl to the door. Hundreds of 'em! And
with luck three or four males."

"I could find it in my heart to wish it were t'other way round!
However! never say die... There'll be no time to finish the
drawing-room! I'll have to receive the surging mobs in the sitting-room
upstairs. Let's pray the chairs will go round!"

"Couldn't the drawing-room be got ready with a rush?"

"Why in the world should we bother to rush?"

"They'll be disappointed if you don't. The drawing-room is part of the
show. The whole neighbourhood is speculating about it now, and
wondering if it's blue or pink. A house with a closed drawing-room is
like a play without the star. Do you realise, darling, that they'll
expect to be shown all over the house?"

"Let them expect, if it pleases them to do it, but they _won't_! Let me
catch anyone trying it on!" cried Grizel sharply, and the gay eyes sent
out a flash of fire. "My own little home!--it shall _not_ be turned
into a peep-show for a flock of curious women to criticise and quiz.
I'll give them tea, and I'll give them cake, I'll talk pretty, and put
on a tea-gown which will scare 'em into fits, but show them over the
house--_I will not_! Let's pretend the sitting-room _is_ the
drawing-room, and all will be peace and joy."

"It would leak out afterwards, and they'd feel defrauded. Half of them
will never enter the house again, darling; you won't care to pursue the
acquaintance, and it will end with an exchange of calls; but you're
rather an exceptional kind of bride, remember, and these good ladies
don't get too much amusement out of life. It would be kind of you to
give them an afternoon out! Not, of course, if it bothers _you_, but
surely the maids--"

Grizel crossed the room to the fire, and stretched a small pink,
silk-quilted shoe towards the blaze.

"If you're going to be moral, and appeal to my better feelings, you'd
better be off to your work! I detest people who air their principles at
breakfast... For two straws I'll stay in bed, and say I'm over-tired
with my journey, and can't see anyone at all. I will, too, if you
hector me any more, or I'll show 'em into the dining-room, and have a
sit-down tea