ply love
it when she is. She looks quite young, and she was the beauty of the
county when she was a girl, and I never did see in all my life anybody
so immaculately perfect in appearance! Her dresses fit as if she had
been melted into them; her skirts stand out, and go crinkling in and out
into folds just exactly like the fashion-plates; her hair looks as if it
had been done a minute before--I don't believe she would have a single
loose end if she were out in a tornado. It's the same, morning, noon
and night; if she were wrecked on a desert island she would be a vision
of elegance. It's the way she was born. I can't think how I came to be
her daughter, and I know I'm a trial to her with my untidiness.

We hugged each other, and she put her hands on each side of my face, and
we kissed and kissed again. She is taller than I am, and very dark,
with beautiful aquiline features, and deep brown eyes. She is very
slight--I'm sure my waist is about twice as big--and her hands look so
pretty with the flashing rings. I'm awfully proud of my mother!

"My darling girl! How rejoiced I am to have you back. Sit down here
and let me see you. How well you look, dear--not any thinner yet, I
see! It will be delightful to have you at home for good, for Vere is
away so much that I have felt quite bereft. Sit up, darling--don't
stoop! It will be so interesting to have another girl to bring out!
There are plenty of young people about here now, so you need not be
dull, and I hope we shall be great companions. You were a sad little
hoyden in the old days, but now that you have passed eighteen you will
be glad to settle down, won't you, dear, and behave like the woman you
are. Have you no little brooch, darling, to keep that collar straight
at the neck? It is all adrift, and looks so untidy. Those little
things are of such importance. I had such a charming letter from Miss
Martin, full of nice speeches about you. She says you sing so sweetly.
You must have some good lessons, for nothing is more taking than a young
voice properly trained, and I hope you have no foolish nervousness about
singing in public. You must get over it, if you have, for I rely on you
to help me when we have visitors."

"I want to help you, mother. I will truly try," I said wistfully. I
don't know why exactly, but I felt depressed all of a sudden. I wanted
her to be so pleased at my return that she didn't notice anything but
just me, and it hurt to