“And Dud Stone is the very nicest boy I ever met,” quoth Hortense, clasping her hands.
“I know Miss Jessie. Jess, they all call her. I saw her on the Westchester Links only last week and she never said a word about this.”
“About coming to see Helen—it isn’t possible!” cried Hortense. “Gregson, you have made a mistake.”
“Hi beg your pardon—no, mem. She asked for Miss Helen. I left ’er in the reception parlor, mem——”
“She thinks one of us is named Helen!” cried Belle, suddenly. “Show her up, Gregson.”
Gregson might have told her different; but he saw it would only involve him in more explanation; therefore he turned on his heel and in his usual stately manner went to lead Dud Stone’s sister into the presence of the three excited girls.
Jessie by no means understood the situation at the Starkweather house between Helen and her cousins. It had never entered Miss Stone’s head, in fact, that anybody could be unkind to, or dislike, “such a nice little thing as Helen Morrell.”
So she greeted the Starkweather girls in her very frankest manner.
“I really am delighted to see you again, Miss Starkweather,” Jess said, being met by Belle at the door. “And are these your sisters? I’m charmed, I am sure.”
Hortense and Flossie were introduced. The girls sat down.