But he was taken from one by the other, and prattled sociably to all until the return of the ladies dressed for their drive.
“Now, Mr. Spencer, you are not in earnest about these veils? I am not to decorate Dick’s and grandpa’s hats with them, am I?” laughed Anna, lifting the light cloud-like pile of barège.
“Oh, no; not just yet! not until they shall be required. It has ceased drizzling, but the ground is still too damp for dust. They can be rolled up and put into their pockets until wanted.”
“Here, grandpa, here is yours,” said Anna, rolling up the gray veil lightly, and handing it.
“No, thank you, my dear. Dust or no dust, I am not going to wear a veil. I would just as soon wear a crinoline!”
“Put it in your own pocket, my dear Mrs. Hammond, and have it ready for him when he will want it. He will be glad enough to get it by-and-by,” said Francis Tredegar.
Anna took his advice.
“And now are we all quite ready?” inquired the General.
“Quite,” answered everybody else.
“Then, come!”