The most charitable supposition is that it never occurred to her that it would be neighborly and humane to offer a luxurious seat in her swiftly rolling chariot to the woman who must otherwise walk a mile in the chill and wet.

She had the reputation of absent-mindedness.

Let us hope that her wits were off upon an excursion when we got into the carriage and drove away, leaving Mrs.
C---- at the gate.
Glancing back, uneasily, I saw her raise an umbrella and set out upon her cheerless promenade directly in our wake, and I made a desperate essay at redressing the wrong.
"It is a pity Mrs.C---- must go out this afternoon," I said, shiveringly.

"She will have a damp walk." "Yes," assented my companion, readily.

"That is the worst of being in this vicinity.