And Maria did go to New Haven the following week, carrying a well-filled purse with her, and accompanied by Alice Eldridge, who was to assist in the selection of the gown and other fixings that were to do honor to the “proudest day of Clifford’s life.”
And the result of this expedition was most gratifying, for, when the kind-hearted and happy woman presented her at Cambridge on the morning of Commencement Day, and which was almost as great an event to her as to Clifford, she astonished the young man by a most genteel and quietly fashionable appearance.
Her really nice black silk was made in the prevailing style, fitted her nicely, and, with some “real lace” ruffles at the neck and wrists, was very becoming.
Her black lace bonnet, with its nice ties and a few modest sprays of mignonette, had been made by a New Haven milliner, who evidently knew her business and studied effects, while a pretty handkerchief of linen lawn, also bordered with “real lace,” and a pair of well-fitting, pearl-gray kid gloves—all selected under the careful supervision of Miss Eldridge—completed a tout ensemble that was very gratifying.
“Why, Maria, how very, very nice you look!” Clifford exclaimed, with beaming eyes, as he warmly grasped her hand, after assisting her to alight from the carriage which he had sent to her lodging-house to convey her to the college.
“I’m glad you like it,” she quietly returned, but bestowing a shy glance of satisfaction upon the lustrous folds of her gown as she spoke.
“Like it! why, I am proud of you!” Clifford responded, with a sincerity that sent a warm thrill through the woman’s heart and a bright spot of color to either cheek.
Mrs. Kimberly, being conscious, in a measure, of shortcomings in her use of the English language, preserved a discreet silence for the most part, except when she was alone with Clifford, and thus did not once offend his sensitive ears in the presence of his friends.
He found her a good seat where she could both hear and see well, and was then obliged to leave her by herself until the exercises should be over.
A few moments later a tall, spare, gray-haired man might have been seen slipping into the auditorium, where he sought an obscure corner, and appeared as if he was desirous of escaping observation. He was Squire Talford.