“Of course; why?”
“I was just wondering.”
At this moment Madam LeRoy and her daughter, Mrs. Tyson, entered, and with profuse apologies on the part of Aunt Sue, who had purposely delayed, Mrs. Sterling was welcomed by her older sister. But the effect had been the opposite to that which was intended. Elizabeth Sterling was feeling very much at home in the familiar rooms of the old house.
CHAPTER III
MADAM LEROY “AT HOME”
If Mrs. Tyson did not offer a particularly warm welcome to her sister, upon her return after so many years to the old home, Madam LeRoy spared no pains to show her pleasure at the presence of her younger daughter. Her attitude was reflected in the deference shown by the servants and in the interest of a few callers, notified by Madam LeRoy of Mrs. Sterling’s presence.
Perhaps Ann’s greatest interest, in spite of her claims at not being “frivolous,” was in her mother’s pretty clothes, purchased, for the most part, the previous spring, when she and Grandmother were away together. But two or three gowns in the very latest style arrived for Mrs. Sterling, who was both amused and pleased at Ann’s delight. “You are the prettiest thing, Mother,” she said. “Why didn’t you give me your eyes and hair and fairness? If Dad could only see you now.”
This was one evening when Ann was watching her mother’s being arrayed for dinner. Two former school-mates of her mother’s, who had married and lived in the neighborhood, were to be dinner guests. The husbands, too, were coming and Mrs. Sterling had been expressing her regret that her own husband was so far away. “Never mind, Ann; your father will be here for our first real ‘family reunion’ since our marriage.”
“Yes, at Christmas time,” sighed Ann, “so far away!”
“It is a long time,” said her mother soberly. “If it were not for Mother, nothing could induce me to be separated so long. But this year I must try to do what Mother wants and be with her, here and in the South.”