I do not like Mike to come into our part of the house with his boots." Ralph shouldered the bag, and Dora stepped up to him.
"I will stay with the horse until you come out again," she said, not speaking very loudly.
Miss Panney, who had heard all that had been said, smiled, and her black eyes twinkled.

"Truly," she said to herself, "for so short an acquaintance, this is getting on wonderfully." Miriam, her arms full of parcels, and her mind full of household economy, walked rapidly by Miss Panney without seeing her at all, and, entering the dining-room, passed through it into the pantry.

But when Ralph appeared in the open doorway, the old lady rose and confronted him, her finger on her lip.
"I have just popped in to make a little call on your sister," she whispered; "but I saw she was pretty well loaded as she passed, and I did not wish to embarrass her--I do not mind embarrassing you.

Don't put down the bag, I beg.

I shall step into the drawing-room, and you can say I am there.