Jessica Bright's radiant delight at beholding the face of her foster sister, Mabel Allison, can be better imagined than described.
Mabel and her mother had arrived three days before, and were to divide their month's stay in Oakdale between the Gibsons of Hawk's Nest, an estate several miles from Oakdale, and the Brights.

Jessica's aunt, Mr.
Bright's only sister, who had never married, now presided over the Bright household, with a grace and hospitality that gained for her not only the reputation of a delightful hostess, but the adoration of Jessica's friends as well.
It was now the day before Christmas, and that evening Grace had invited her dearest friends to help her keep Christmas Eve.
"Just as though we could get along without Miriam!" she exclaimed enthusiastically.

"You haven't any idea, Mother, what a power for good she is at Overton.

It isn't half so much what she says as the way she says it.

She has so much tact.