It was, however, a comely face, and Miss Deringham noticed that the girl carried herself gracefully.

It was also curious that she was not wholly pleased when Alton went forward to greet the newcomer with his hat in his hand, and, she fancied, offered more assistance than was absolutely necessary in helping her down.
Then they entered the verandah together, and Alice Deringham smiled in a fashion which did not pledge her to any extreme good-will when Alton presented the stranger.
"Miss Townshead, from the ranch back yonder," he said.
Miss Deringham said something of no importance, and waited with slightly unusual curiosity for the girl's answer, which somewhat astonished her.

The voice was nicely modulated, and the intonation free from Western harshness and unmistakably English.
"You will come over and see us.

It is a long time since we had a visit from anybody from England," she said.

"Are you pleased with this country ?" Miss Deringham glanced at Alton.