"Like that?" asked Polly, glancing at the other’s costume.
"My dear, of course not! I just put these on to do a little gardening. I was up so early; I thought I’d look after your beloved plants a bit."
"Now, why does she tell such lies?" thought Angelica. "Can’t she see that that woman doesn’t believe her?"
"You’re going out again, then?" asked Polly, with just a shade of reproachfulness in her voice.
"My dear, I’m obliged to go to the dentist’s——”
"You won’t be home to lunch, then, I suppose?"
"But you shan’t be alone!" cried Mrs. Russell brightly. "I’ve got Miss Kennedy here—the daughter of an old, old friend of mine!"
And then began a new series of the most preposterous lies, flowing in a bland, untroubled stream. She said that Angelica’s father was a clergyman living in the country, and that Angelica was going to be married, and that her mother had sent her to stop with Mrs. Russell while she bought her trousseau. She added a great deal of the grossest flattery about Polly’s superior taste.
"I advise you to consult her in everything!" she ended, turning to the astounded Angelica. "Now, then, I’ve got to fly. You two must have a nice, comfy chat!"
And she whimpered to Angelica as she went out: