Emmeline waited something less than a quarter of an hour; then a hansom drove up, and Mrs.
Higgins, after a deliberate surveyal of the house front, followed her daughter up the pathway.
The first sight of the portly lady made the situation clearer to Mrs.Mumford.Louise Derrick represented a certain stage of civilisation, a degree of conscious striving for better things; Mrs.
Higgins was prosperous and self-satisfied vulgarity.

Of a complexion much lighter than the girl's, she still possessed a coarse comeliness, which pointed back to the dairymaid type of damsel.

Her features revealed at the same time a kindly nature and an irascible tendency.

Monstrously overdressed, and weighted with costly gewgaws, she came forward panting and perspiring, and, before paying any heed to her hostess, closely surveyed the room.
'Mrs.Mumford,' said the girl, 'this is my mother.

Mother, this is Mrs.Mumford.And now, please, let me go somewhere while you have your talk.' 'Yes, that'll be best, that'll be best,' exclaimed Mrs.Higgins.
'Dear, 'ow 'ot it is! Run out into the garden, Louise.