“I—I beg your pardon. I lost my way, I guess, there was so many turnin’s. I’m sorry, but a little rain will fetch it right,” grandpa said, glancing ruefully at the ruts in the gravel and the marks on the turf.
Mrs. Noah was not at heart an unkind woman, and something in the benignant expression of the old man’s face, or in the apologetic tone of his voice, mollified her somewhat, and without further comment she stood waiting for his next remark. It was a most unfortunate one, for though as free from weaknesses as most of her sex, Mrs. Noah was terribly sensitive as to her age, and the same census-taker would never venture twice within her precincts. Glancing at her dress, which this afternoon was much smarter than usual, grandpa thought she could not be a servant; and as she seemed to have a right to say where he should drive and where he should not, the meek old man concluded she was a near relation of Guy—mother, perhaps; but no, Guy’s mother was dead, as grandpa well knew, for all Devonshire had heard of the young bride Agnes, who had married Guy’s father for money and rank. To have been mistaken for Guy’s mother would not have offended Mrs. Noah particularly; but she was fearfully shocked when Grandpa Markham said:
“I come on business with Squire Guy. Are you his gran’marm?”
“His gran’marm!” screamed Mrs. Noah fearfully. “Bless you, man, Squire Guy, as you call him, is twenty-five years old.”
As Grandpa Markham was rather blind he failed to see the point, but knew that in some way he had given offense.
“I beg your pardon, ma’am. I was sure you was some kin—maybe an a’nt.”
No, she was not even that, but, willing enough to let the old man believe her a Remington—she did not explain that she was only the housekeeper—but she simply said:
“If it’s Mr. Guy you want, I can tell you he is not at home, which will save you getting out.”
“Not at home, and I’ve come so far to see him!” grandpa exclaimed, and in his voice there was so much genuine disappointment that Mrs. Noah rejoined quite kindly:
“He’s gone over to Devonshire with the young lady, his step-mother. Perhaps you might tell your business to me; I know all Mr. Guy’s affairs.”