"It's very cold for her," faltered Mrs. Gower.
Here the merry sleigh-bells jingled and stopped at the gate; voices are nearing; and now the hall-bell again rings, when Mr. and Mrs. Dale are heard in the hall stamping the snow off their boots, and divesting themselves of their wraps.
"Thomas, get plates, etc."
They enter looking as if Jack Frost has given them a chilly embrace, for they have had a cold drive from town.
"Welcome! this is a glad surprise, though I half expected you yesterday. Mrs. Dale, allow me to introduce Mr. Blair; Mr. Dale, Mr. Blair; and now be seated; I am so glad to have you back again, Ella; I have missed you much."
"Thank you, Elaine; we both wished you were with us; Henry's English friends, the Elliotts, are delightful, and were charmed with your description of river life on the St. Lawrence."
"They will think I have scarcely done it justice, on their revelling in it themselves."
"We have Ella Wheeler Wilcox and Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, at New York, this winter, Mrs. Gower," said Dale, in gratified tones.
"What a treat it would be to meet them; they will give new life to the women's literary circles."
"Oh, where is Miss Crew?" asked Mrs. Dale.