"Don't you think they will come to meet me?" asked Marion, rather alarmed. "Uncle Duncan telegraphed from New York yesterday, and they knew besides when I was coming."
"Oh yes, I dare say they will if the horses are not too busy. Father Van Alstine doesn't like to have them taken away from their work. I found that out when I lived there. You have never seen him, have you?"
"Never—but I have his picture in my book. He is a very handsome man, I think."
"Handsome, oh yes, all the family are handsome except Amity, who isn't really one of the family either, though I believe Father Van Alstine thinks more of her than of all the rest put together. Oh yes, I think Father Van Alstine means to do right, only he has a good deal to contend with, and he is naturally overbearing—all the family have that kind of temper. Amity is no exception there. But I dare say you will get on very well, only you must be a little careful not to cross him. I am glad you are come, I am sure, and I hope you will be a comfort to mother, poor thing."
"Why do you say 'poor thing'?" asked Marion.
"Did I say so? Well, I didn't mean anything particular, only you know she has a hard time of it of course, with all those rough noisy boys—and perhaps she is not as good a manager as some. I used to try to help her when I lived in the Valley, but it didn't answer very well. A second wife you know is apt to be jealous of interference, and there was Amity always at hand. But I dare say it will be different with you, being her own daughter."
And so Mrs. Gertrude ran on, always speaking in the most friendly tone of the whole of her husband's family, but managing to insinuate something to the disadvantage of every one. Presently Marion asked some question about the governess.
"The governess? Oh yes, I understand, you mean Mrs. Andrews. So they call her a governess, do they? Well, that is a genteel way of putting it."
"I don't know that any one used the word governess but myself," said Marion, who began to be a little annoyed. "Mother said they had a little family school and a very good teacher. I don't think they mentioned her name at all."
"No, I dare say not. Well, her name is Mrs. Andrews, and she is a widow, a cousin of the Overbecks, and has been a missionary somewhere."