"You have young people of your own, I expect," said Mrs. Dean, throwing open her coat and displaying a formidable bust, covered by a tightly fitting lace blouse and supporting a large paste brooch.
"Alas, no! None of my own! But I count Stephen and Paula as my own. They are very dear to me," said Joseph, getting well into his stride.
"I knew as soon as I saw you that my little girl had not exaggerated "Uncle Joe's' kindness," declared Mrs. Dean, laying a hand on his arm, and gently squeezing it. "You can't deceive me! You are the good fairy in the house!"
"Oh no, no, no!" protested Joseph. "I'm afraid I'm only a foolishly sentimental old fellow who likes to see people happy around him! Ah, here is Paula! Paula, my dear, come and say how-do-you-do to Mrs. Dean!"
"My dear!" ejaculated Mrs. Dean, turning on her high heels as Paula advanced, and stretching out her hands. "So this is Stephen's beloved sister! Let me look at you, childie! Yes, I can see something of Stephen. My poor child, this is a terrible time for you, and with your mother so many, many miles away! I shall claim the right of Stephen's mother-in-law to take his sister under my wing too."
The thought of Stephen's being taken under Mrs. Dean's wing momentarily paralysed Paula. By the time she had recovered her breath sufficiently to repudiate the suggestion that she either missed her mother or wanted a substitute, Joseph had drawn Mathilda forward and was introducing her. He then said that Mrs. Dean must be cold from her long drive, and begged her to sit down by the fire while he fetched his wife.
"Now, you mustn't make any difference for me, dear Mr. Herriard, for I have come to be a help, and not a hindrance! I don't want to cause anyone the least bit of trouble! I'm sure Mrs. Herriard must be far too upset and shocked to be troubled by tiresome visitors. You must ust not take a scrap of notice of me."
You must have a cup of coffee and a sandwich!" he said. "Do let me persuade you!"
"Well, if you insist! But this is spoiling me, you know!"
Paula, seeing no other way of escape, said that she would give the necessary order, and vanished, leaving Mathilda to cope with a situation that appalled her. oseph trotted upstairs in search of Maud, and Mrs. Dean disposed herself in a chair by the fire, and began to peel off her gloves.