The baggage-car came up shortly after the ladies had alighted from the first automobile, and the servants carried the bags indoors, then waited to be directed to the proper rooms.
Sir James and his wife welcomed the party of Americans, but Mrs. Alexander felt disappointed when she saw a plain little lady dressed in grey taffeta, and found Sir James to be a short fat man with a genial expression, but a horsy manner. The others seemed quite at home with these English people and all were soon exchanging opinions about the recent problems in politics.
Not a word or look from either Sir James, or his lady, led anyone to think that three extra visitors were thrust upon the hospitable family, nor did any hint escape them that the unexpected guests were other than socially their equals. Mrs. Alexander was looking for some sign of this superiority in them because of the title, and felt most uneasy because she detected none of it; but finding she and her family were accepted on the same standard as the Fabians and Ashbys, she recovered her wonted habit of pushing a way to the foreground in everything.
As the group separated to go to their separate suites, Sir James reminded them: “Quite informal dinner, you know. We are only tarrying in town a few days, before going on to Osgood Hall, so we make no pretence at dressing formally.”
The Ashbys and Fabians knew this to be a courtesy extended them because of their lack of baggage, but Mrs. Alexander thought Sir James meant that their own trunks had gone to the country and so they were not able to dress in dinner clothes. But she determined to show how she could dress, with her money.
Before Dorothy could lock the door of her room, her mother entered and handed her the dress she was to wear for dinner.
“Why, Ma! we were told not to dress!” exclaimed she.
“That’s only bluff. You put this on and show folks that we know what’s what, even if we haven’t a title!” declared her mother.
Reluctantly Dodo took the beaded georgette evening dress and then closed the door after her mother’s commanding figure. As she went to the toilet-table she thought: “I wonder what poor Pa will have to wear tonight!” But she was to learn about that sooner than she thought for.