Miss Pamela explained that her sister was Miss Holcroft. Then Marigold drew forward her Aunt Mary, and they all stood chatting together for several minutes. Farmer Jo's face was redder and more smiling than ever. He beamed on every one with evident goodwill, and was inwardly delighted that his mother appeared to get on with the ladies. Miss Holcroft's gentle face was wreathed with smiles, whilst Miss Pamela, though not so cordial in her manner as her sister, was extremely gracious, for her.
Marigold stood by listening eagerly to the conversation, and was greatly astonished when she heard Miss Pamela give her new acquaintances an invitation to tea.
This, however, was declined for to-day; but Mrs. Adams promised when she paid a visit to her friend, Mrs. Nowell, that she would call on the Misses Holcroft as well.
"Do you like Exeter, little missy?" asked Farmer Jo of Marigold, whilst his mother was talking to her aunts.
"I think so," she responded; but her tone sounded doubtful.
"Are you not sure?" he inquired amusedly.
"Not quite. I love the cathedral, and I have been for some beautiful walks with my aunts into the country; but you see, Mr. Adams, I should like everything so much better if my mother and the boys were here."
"You have brothers, then?"
"Yes, two. They are called Rupert and Lionel. I miss them dreadfully."
"I daresay you do. You are going to live with your aunts, aren't you? Well—well—it will be nice for them to have a young body in the house. It must have been lonely for them before now, I'm sure; but you'll be able to brighten them up! Ah, your mother did not like parting with you, I know!"