er which would
be best. It would have a great effect on the neighbors. I have spoken
to them of my grand relations, but somehow, seeing is believing. It's
wonderfully exciting--her coming, isn't it, Flo?"

But Florry had walked to the window and was looking out with a shade of
disgust on her brow. The Mummy was the Mummy, but she certainly needed
repression. Even if you had those sort of sentiments, if you were
educated at all you would keep them to yourself.

The rest of the evening was spent in considerable excitement on the
part of Mrs. Aylmer. Much as she professed to dislike her
sister-in-law, Susan Aylmer, the thought of seeing her caused much more
commotion than she had experienced at the thought of welcoming Florence
home.

Florence was a dear old thing and her own daughter, but then she
depended on Susan for her bread. Early on the following morning she
was seen to put on her best and much-turned dress.

She went to the shop and even committed the great extravagance of
getting a new white widow's front for her bonnet, and also a pair of
new black silk gloves, and then she waited restlessly until the arrival
of Mrs. Aylmer.

Mrs. Aylmer arrived in state by a train which reached Dawlish about
noon, and the other Mrs. Aylmer--the poor one--and her daughter
Florence watched her from afar.

"There she is," said Mrs. Aylmer the less, as she might truly be
called, "there she is, Flo. She's grown stouter than ever, she
promises to be a very large woman in her old age; and what a pompous
way she does walk! I do declare--well, that beats everything--she is
walking to the hotel, not even taking a carriage. That's just like
Susan. Come, Flo, we'll go toward and speak to her; there's no good in
having relations and keeping one's self in the background. Follow me,
my dear, and pull yourself up and look as nice as you can. Everything
depends on your aunt's first impression of you. Just push your hat
straight--there, that's better; now come along."

Mrs. Aylmer and Florence pushed their way through a crowd of people who
had just arrived, and a moment later Mrs. Aylmer the less and Mrs.
Aylmer the great were shaking hands in greeting.

"How do you do, Mabel?" said Mrs. Aylmer the great, "and is this your
daughter?" A pair of light blue eyes traveled all over Florence from
the crown of her head to the sole of her foot. "I'll see you both at
the hotel," said Mrs. Aylmer, in a gracious tone, "after I have