Her coming created a sensation, for, as was well known in Vernondale, she rarely attended social affairs of any sort.

But, for some unknown reason, she chose to accept Patty's invitation, and, garbed in an old-fashioned brown velvet, she was presented to Mrs.St.Clair.
"I'm so glad to see you," said the latter, shaking hands effusively.
"Humph!" said Miss Daggett.

"Why should you be glad to see me, pray ?" "Why, because--because--" Mrs.St.Clair floundered a little, and seemed really unable to give any reason.
"Because you've heard that I'm rich and old and queer ?" said Miss Daggett.
This was exactly true, but Mrs.St.Clair did not care to admit it, so she said: "Why, no, not that; but I've heard my niece speak of you so often that I felt anxious to meet you." "Well, I'm not afraid of anything Patty Fairfield said about me; she's a dear little girl; I'm very fond of her." "Why do you call her little girl ?" said Mrs.St.Clair.

"Patty is in her seventeenth year; surely that is not quite a child." "But she is a child at heart," said Miss Daggett, "and I am glad of it.

I would far rather see her with her pretty, sunshiny childish ways than to see her like that overdressed little minx standing over there beside her, whoever she may be." "That's my daughter," said Mrs.St.Clair, without, however, looking as deeply offended as she might have done.
"Oh, is it ?" said Miss Daggett, sniffing.