"But, mother—"
"Sh-h! she'll hear you. I'm going to bow to her; I wish you'd do the same."
"Mother!"
"To oblige me; I'll explain afterwards."
The couple were now within several steps of Jane, who, with an odd mixture of wistfulness and scare, had been studying Eleanor's attire. When she saw both women looking at her, she began to take a defiant attitude, but the toss of her head was met by one of Mrs. Prency's heartiest smiles, accompanied by a similar recognition from Eleanor. Short as was the time that could elapse before the couple had passed her, it was long enough to show a change in Jane's face,—a change so notable that Eleanor whispered,—
"Did you ever see any one alter looks so quickly?"
"Never; but I sha'n't lose any opportunity to see it again," said Mrs. Prency.
"Mother, dear," said Eleanor, "I hope you're not suddenly going to recognize every common person you may meet on the street. You're so enthusiastic."
"And so different from my daughter in that respect,—eh, dear?"
"But, mother, you've always been so careful and fastidious about your associations and mine. I remember the time, only a year or two ago, while I was at school, when you would have been horrified if I'd had anything to do with a creature like that."