The pathos of Kate Kearney vanished in a black whirl of ecstatic body and tail.
Nell went to put on her boots.
"We'll go for a long, long walk, and we'll come back on top of an omnibus, K.K. It's such a glorious day for a walk, isn't it? Oh, heavenly! But we'll go."
In the hall they came upon Miss Kezia. Nell's slim body stiffened suddenly; a feeling of desperation seized her.
"You are going to take that dog out on a day like this! I cannot allow it! Think of its feet when it comes in!"
Nell found that she had to moisten her dry lips; she took a moment or two to choke back unexpectedly rude words. She said then in an even tone:—
"I'll carry her upstairs, Aunt Kezia."
"But when it gets there! The carpet! Ruining my carpet!"
"I'll put her on her rug till she's dry."
"Microbes!" Miss Kezia said.