By the time Mr.Juxon had rung the bell and Martha's answering footstep was beginning to echo in the small passage, Mrs.Goddard had passed to the consideration of Nellie herself.

Nellie's fingers were mightily inky, but in other respects she was presentable.
"Run and wash your hands, child, and then you may come back," said her mother.
"Oh mamma, _must_ I go?
He's just coming in." She gave one despairing look at her little hands, and then ran away.

The idea of missing one moment of Mr.Juxon's visit was bitter, but to be caught with inky fingers by a beautiful gentleman with green stockings and a rose in his coat would be more terribly humiliating still.

There was a sound as of some gigantic beast plunging into the passage as the front door was opened, and a scream of terror from Martha followed by a good-natured laugh from the squire.
"You'll excuse _me_, sir, but he don't bite, sir, does he?
Oh my! what a dog he is, sir--" "Is Mrs.Goddard in ?" inquired Mr.Juxon, holding the hound by the collar.

Martha opened the door of the little sitting-room and the squire looked in.