Your far distant nephew from Chicago, Mr.Joshua Peter Wick." It was a moment to be remembered--we all said so afterwards.

Everything hung upon Mrs.Portheris's attitude.

But it was immediately evident that Mrs.Portheris considered parents of any kind excusable, even commendable! Her manner said as much--it also implied, however, that she could not possibly be held responsible for transatlantic connections by a former marriage.

Momma was nervous, but collected.

She bowed a distant Wastgaggle bow, an heirloom in the family, which gave Mrs.Portheris to understand that if any cordiality was to characterise the occasion, it would have to emanate from her.