As for Jemima—once more her lips twitched. Jemima was certainly very capable.
Mrs. Kildare went down to meet her guests somewhat heartened.
CHAPTER IX
"This," murmured a voice into the ear of Professor Thorpe, "is the real thing at last! Everything so far has been a rather crude imitation of New York. I am disappointed in Lexington. But there's character here, distinction, local color. My dear uncle, why have you not brought me to this house before?"
"I did not bring you this time, as it happens," commented Professor Thorpe somewhat acidly. "You came."
"Thanks to a firm character and a discerning eye. What, miss a chance of seeing the Kildare on her native heath? Certainly not!"
The other turned and looked at him. "Suppose," he murmured, "that hereafter you speak of my friend and your hostess as 'Mrs. Kildare.'"
The younger man made a smiling gesture of apology. "What, ho! A tendresse here—I had forgotten," he said to himself; and added aloud, "Of course, you know, one does speak of famous women without adding handles to their names. The Duse, for instance, or Bernhardt—it would be ridiculous to call them 'Madame.'"
"Mrs. Kildare is not an actress," said the Professor, primly.