to clasp it. Verena was decidedly the
best-looking of the eight girls sitting on the grass. She was tall; her
complexion was fair; her figure was naturally so good that no amount of
untidy dressing could make it look awkward. Her hair was golden and soft.
It was less trouble to wind it up in a thick rope and hairpin it at the
back of her head than to let it run wild; therefore she was not even
untidy. Verena was greatly respected by her sisters, and Briar was rather
afraid of her. All the others sat silent now when she asked the old Padre
to describe Aunt Sophia.

"My dear," he answered, "I have not the slightest idea what her
appearance is like. My memory of her is that she was fashionable and very
conventional."

"What on earth is 'conventional'?" whispered Pat.

"Don't interrupt, Patty," said Verena, squeezing her father's hand. "Go
on, Paddy; go on, darling of my heart. Tell us some more. Aunt Sophia is
fashionable and conventional. We can look out the words in the dictionary
afterwards. But you must know what she is like to look at."

"I don't, my dears; I cannot remember. It was a good many years ago when
she came to visit us."

"He must be prodded," said Briar, turning to Renny. "Look at him; he is
going to sleep."

"Excuse me, girls," said the Squire, half-rising, and then sitting down
again as Verena's young hand pushed him into his seat. "I have just made
a most interesting discovery with regard to Virgil--namely, that----"

"Oh, father! we don't want to know about it," said Briar. "Now, then,
Renny, begin."

"Her appearance--her appearance!" said Verena gently.

"Whose appearance, dear?"

"Why, Aunt Sophia's; the lady who is coming to-morrow."

"Oh, dear!" said Mr. Dale; "but she must not come. This cannot be
permitted; I cannot endure it."

"Paddy, you have given John directions to fetch her. Now, then, what is
she like?"

"I don't know, children. I haven't the slightest idea."

"Prod, Renny! Prod!"

"Padre," said Verena, "is she old or young?"

"Old, I think; perhaps neither."

"Write it down, Briar. She is neither old nor young. Paddy, is she dark
or fair?"

"I really can't remember, dear. A most unpleasant person."

"Put down that she is--not over-beautiful," said Verena. "Paddy, must we
put on our best dresses when she comes--our Sunday go-to-meeting frocks,
you know?"

"Children, wear anything on earth you like, but in Heaven's name let me
go away now! Only to think that she w