The strange lady laughed lightly.
"I wonder—" she replied—"I wonder if you are Mrs. Ladybug."
"I am," said Mrs. Ladybug.
"Then I'm your cousin!" cried the other. "At last I've met you!" And she rushed towards Mrs. Ladybug with every intention of embracing her.
Mrs. Ladybug backed hastily away.
"Not so fast!" she exclaimed. "If you really are my cousin, well and good! But how do I know that you aren't an impostor?"
"A what?" the strange lady faltered. She was, quite naturally, somewhat taken aback by Mrs. Ladybug's coolness.
"How do I know that you're not a cheat?" Mrs. Ladybug asked her. "Have you any references?"
"Any what?" stammered the would-be cousin.
"Any letters about yourself," Mrs. Lady explained. "For all I know, you may be dissembling."