The three girls found her very engaging, and their step-mother, if more critical, was quite ready to like her.

As is often the case with people who only care for those near and dear to them, the world of men and women outside Janet Tosswill's own circle interested her scarcely at all.

She would make up her mind as to what any given individual was like, and then dismiss him or her once for all from her busy, over-burdened mind.
One thing, however, both Janet and the three girls did notice--that was the way their new acquaintance was dressed.

Her black frock was not only becoming, but had that indefinable look which implies thought, care, and cost--especially cost.

All four ladies decided immediately that Mrs.
Crofton must be much better off than she had implied in the letter she had written to Mr.Tosswill some weeks ago.
Timmy, alone of them all, on that first evening, felt strongly about their visitor.