Mr. Cragg had not seemed to observe her, at first, but as she now approached the porch he rose from his chair and bowed with a courtly grace that astonished her. In many ways his dignified manners seemed to fit his colonial costume.
"You will find Ingua inside, I believe," he said.
"I—I am Mary Louise Burrows."
Again he bowed.
"I am glad to meet you, Miss Burrows. And I am glad that you and Ingua are getting acquainted," he rejoined, in even, well modulated tones. "She has not many friends and her association with you will be sure to benefit her."
Mary Louise was so amazed that she fairly gasped.
"I—I like Ingua," she said. "We're going into town to have her new dress tried on this morning."
He nodded and resumed his chair. His unexpected politeness gave her courage.
"It's going to be a pretty dress," she continued, "and, if only she had a new hat to go with it, Ingua would have a nice outfit. She needs new shoes, though," as an afterthought, "and perhaps a few other little things—like stockings and underwear."
He was silent, wholly unresponsive to her suggestion.