I knew I must be "dressed up" and look as important as I could.

When I went up-stairs after tea, Jean was in my room laying things out on the bed.
"The man you like so much is to dine here to-night, Ysobel," she said.
"Mr.Hector MacNairn." I believe I even put my hand suddenly to my heart as I stood and looked at her, I was so startled and so glad.
"You must tell him how much you love his books," she said.

She had a quiet, motherly way.
"There will be so many other people who will want to talk to him," I answered, and I felt a little breathless with excitement as I said it.
"And I should be too shy to know how to say such things properly." "Don't be afraid of him," was her advice.

"The man will be like his books, and they're the joy of your life." She made me look as nice as she could in the new dress she had brought; she made me wear the Muircarrie diamonds and sent me downstairs.

It does not matter who the guests were; I scarcely remember.