She had been house-cleaning when the door-bell rang, and had hastened into her black skirt and black-and-white silk blouse.

The blouse was buttoned wrong, and it did not meet the skirt in the back; and she had quite overlooked her neckgear, but of that she was pleasantly unconscious, also of the fact that there was a large black smooch beside her nose, giving her both a rakish and a sinister air.
"I am so glad to find you in," said Mrs.Van Dorn.
"I was telling Mrs.Van Dorn that I was so afraid you would be out, it is such a lovely day," said Mrs.Lee.
"I am so glad I was in," responded Mrs.Morris, with effusion.

"I should have been so disappointed to miss your call." Then the ladies seated themselves, and the conversation went on.
Overhead the maid could be heard heavily tramping.

The carpet of that room was up, and the mistress and maid had planned to replace it before night; but the mistress held fast to her effusive air of welcome.

It had never been fashionable or even allowable not to be at home when one was at home in Banbridge.