‘I will with pleasure, Mrs Llewellyn. Indeed I have heard such grand accounts of your famous dairy that I am quite anxious to taste its produce.’
The farmer’s wife bridled under the compliment, and turned with the intention of leaving the room; but as she reached the door she said,—
‘May I take the liberty of asking your name, madam?’
Nora was just about to give her maiden name, remembering her husband’s injunction, when she noticed she had withdrawn the glove of her left hand, and displaying her wedding-ring and jewelled keepers, so with her quick wit, which never found her at a disadvantage, she borrowed the name of one of the ladies, who was even at that moment taking away hers in the Hall drawing-room, and answered, ‘Mrs Lumley.’
‘Thank you, madam,’ said the old woman, as she curtseyed and withdrew. In another moment she was adjuring Nell to go down to the parlour and hear what the lady from the Hall had to say to her.
‘Oh, mother, why did you say I was indoors?’ she exclaimed fretfully. ‘What should she want to see me for? You know how I hate seeing strangers.’
‘Well, my lass, it is not my fault. The lady, Mrs Lumley is her name, wants to thank you for what you did this morning, and for my part I think it is very pretty-mannered of her to come over herself when she might have written to express her gratitude. But here she is, and you must go down and see her whilst I make her a cup of tea. She says she heard so much of our dairy that she’s quite anxious to taste our cream. She’s as nice-spoken a young lady as ever I met, and I’m sure she has good intentions towards you.’
‘But I don’t want to be thanked,’ repeated Nell in the same tone. ‘It was the simplest thing in the world; anyone would have done it. I only caught at the reins as the horses passed me. What does she want to make a fuss about it for? Its over and done with. Why can’t she leave it alone?’
‘Well, my lass, I can’t stay to answer all your testy questions. I must go and see that the kettle boils for the tea. Now, go down, there’s a good girl. She’s one of the Hall guests, and we mustn’t offend them, you know.’
So Nell smoothed her rippling hair, and went down to the parlour with a bad grace, and stood just inside the door, stiff as a soldier on duty, and without speaking a word. But Nora did not seem to perceive her mood. She thought her stiffness was meant for respect.