, as it was I who was the
particularly invited guest, I had to jump down from the chaise, after a
boy had let down the steps, and to tell the big man who I was and whence
I came: when he said, in that mincing way they have in the South, as if
they must cut their words small before they could get them into their
mouths, that Madam expected me, and I was to walk up-stairs. My heart
went pit-a-pat, but up I marched, Annas and Flora following; and if the
big man did not call out my name to another big man, just the copy of
him, who stood at the top of the stairs, so loud that I should think it
must have been heard over half the house. I felt quite ashamed, but I
walked straight on, into a grand room all over looking-glasses and
crimson, where a circle of ladies and gentlemen were sitting round the
fire. We have not begun fires in the North. I do think they are a nesh
[Note 3.] lot of folks who live in the South.

Grandmamma was at one end of the circle, and my Aunt Dorothea at the
other. I went straight up to Grandmamma.

"How do you, Grandmamma?" said I. "This is my cousin, Flora Drummond,
and this is our friend, Annas Keith. Fa--Papa, I mean, and Aunt Kezia,
sent their respectful compliments, and begged that you would kindly
allow them to tarry here for a night on their way to the Isle of Wight."

Grandmamma looked at me, then at Flora, then at Annas, and took a pinch
of snuff.

"How dusty you are, my dear!" said she. "Pray go and shift your gown.
Perkins will show you the way."

She just gave a nod to the other two, and then went back to her
discourse with the gentleman next her. Those are what Grandmamma calls
easy manners, I know: but I think I like the other sort better. My Aunt
Kezia would have given the girls a warm grasp of the hand and a kiss,
and told them they were heartily welcome, and begged them to make
themselves at home. Grandmamma thinks that rough and coarse and
country-bred: but I am sure it makes me feel more as if people really
were pleased to see me.

I felt that I must just speak first to my Aunt Dorothea; and she did
shake hands with Flora and me, and courtesied to Annas. Then we
courtesied to the company, and left the room, I telling the big man that
Grandmamma wished Perkins to attend us. The big man looked over the
banisters, and said, "Harry, call Perkins." When Perkins came, she
proved, as I expected, to be Grandmamma's waiting-maid; and she carried
us off to a little chamb