Milly, on her arrival from a day's journey in the cars, looked like a wild girl. Her face was covered with dust; her hair which floated loosely over her shoulders, looked as though unacquainted with a brush; her hands were grimy with dirt; her nails even had a deep border of black; her dress was buttoned awry; her boots were only half laced; and the strings hung dangling around her ancles, threatening every moment to trip her up.
When the child had carelessly bid the neighbor who accompanied her to the door good-by, without a word of thanks, and then, no ways abashed, stood in the centre of the room gazing curiously at her new found relatives, Mrs. Morgan cast a despairing glance from her husband to Emily.
The little girl, in the meantime, was trying hard to convince herself that this poor, neglected creature was the dear cousin, for whose arrival she had been so impatient. She blushed crimson as she noticed the slovenly hair and soiled dress; all desire to have Milly share her room and bed vanishing on the instant. She could not endure the thought of a kiss from a mouth with teeth so entirely a stranger to the brush.
But Milly did not notice the neglect. Alter one long, searching gaze into the faces of her relatives, she threw her hat into a chair, tossed back with a quick jerk of her head the locks fallen over her face; then with a loud yawn, exclaimed:
"I say, isn't it hot? I'm awfully hungry, too."
This appeal changed Emily's aversion to sympathy. She stepped forward eagerly, and seizing her cousin's hand, said:
"Come with me to your room and wash. Supper will be ready in a few minutes."
She led the way to a small chamber on the opposite side of the hall from her own, saying as she did so, "I'll help you to dress for tea."
"Oh dear!" exclaimed Mrs. Morgan, throwing up her hands when the children were out of hearing, "Isn't she a real Hindoo? Can she ever be civilized?"
Mr. Morgan sighed repeatedly. "Oh, Ida!" he murmured, "How your child reminds me of you! So like, yet so different; impulsive and careless, but with a warm heart!"