But Ruth only sighed. Her task was too obnoxious to permit of compliments even to the handsome, elderly woman, who indeed did look like an animated cameo, set in a frame of gray veils, thrown over a small summer hat.
“Isn’t the garden beautiful from this porch?” Nancy enthused, joining Mrs. Cullen there. “Just look at that hedge! It’s literally screened in with fine white clematis! And look! Mrs. Cullen! Just see that bower of Golden Blows! Oh, I don’t believe I have ever seen such a beautiful place,” and Nancy flitted around like a big butterfly herself, her yellow and white tissue dress escaping in little clouds about her, as she raced from room to room.
“My grand-daughter Naomi, is quite like you,” smiled the amused lady. “If you see so much beauty here I am sure it would please her. And it is for her, principally, that I am considering coming to Long Leigh.”
“Oh, I’m sure she’d love it,” chirped Nancy. “But do come upstairs and see all the wonderful bay-windows. Why, this house is made just like a lot of flower bowls. Every single room opens out in—Just see these windows.”
So Ruth and Mrs. Cullen followed Nancy upstairs to see the windows. From that point of vantage she dragged them to the alcove over the stairs and pointed out the “glorious garden,” from that view. And she was being perfectly sincere in her enthusiasm. None of it was assumed, in fact, one would have imagined Nancy was considering buying the fine old homestead for her own use.
They spent more than an hour looking over the place and even then Nancy hated to leave.
“Imagine having a home like that,” she tried to whisper to Ruth. “I think I’d be satisfied even to do housework if I could look out that kitchen window as I did it,” she added, while Mrs. Cullen smiled her satisfaction into Nancy’s eager face.
They drove back to the train with the prospective customer, who, when taking her leave, glanced significantly at Nancy.
“My dear,” she said, “you gave me a very pleasant little visit to your pretty Long Leigh, and I hope if my grand-daughter, Naomi, comes here—ever, she will meet you.” She then touched Ruth’s hand gently, saying something about having her father’s office get in touch with her.
When the train had cleared the station the two girls broke into a much relieved giggle. Ruth declared that Nancy had won the heart of “Lady Cullen who is as rich as they come,” she explained, inelegantly.