"As if I should or could," exclaimed Miss Bird indignantly, "there was no occasion to say a single word Joan and a good kind heart is far better than good looks as I have often told you you do me a great injustice."
"I knew she wouldn't really mind, Nancy," said Joan. "But I am glad to have warned her. She will get used to the beard."
"And the cast in the eye," added Nancy.
"Indeed," said Miss Bird, "I should never notice such things a beard is a sign of manly vigour your father has a beard."
"Ah, but it isn't a beard like father's," said Joan. "It is more tufty and fluffy. I suppose you thought that young man in the picture very handsome, didn't you, Starling darling?"
"Indeed no such thing," said Miss Bird, "I said to my sister and she will bear witness good-looking yes but not a match in looks for my darling Joan and glad I am now that I said it."
Joan burst into a laugh, and embraced her warmly. "Oh, you're too sweet and precious for words," she said. "That was Ronald, and I shall tell him you don't think he is very handsome."
"What a donkey you are, Joan!" said Nancy. "Why didn't you let her meet him in the hall?"
"Now that is too bad Joan 'n' Nancy," said Miss Bird, quite in her old style of reproof, "a little piece of fun I can understand but you might have made it most awkward for me Joan my bonnet well there I suppose I must say nothing more you will have your joke and neither of you have altered at all you are very naughty girls and I was just going to say if you did not behave I should tell Mrs. Clinton pets I love you more than ever."
Miss Bird was almost overcome with emotion when she arrived at the house. The story was immediately told against her, and provoked laughter, especially from the Squire, who said, "The young monkeys! They want husbands to keep them in order, both of them. 'Pon my word, with you here, Miss Bird, I feel inclined to pack them off to the schoolroom, to get them out of the way. It makes me feel young again to see you here, Miss Bird. You seem to belong to Kencote, and I'm very pleased to see you here again, very pleased indeed."