Aunt Clara had been out rather late, and came to the table after the rest were seated.

She wore a puzzled expression.
"Do you ever see Mary Spence nowadays ?" she inquired, as she unfolded her napkin, addressing Mrs.Schofield.Penrod abruptly set down his soup-spoon and gazed at his aunt with flattering attention.
"Yes; sometimes," said Mrs.Schofield.

"She's Penrod's teacher." "Is she ?" said Mrs.Farry.

"Do you--" She paused.

"Do people think her a little--queer, these days ?" "Why, no," returned her sister.