"Come," said Elsie, at last, "we don't want to sit here all day. Let us go and find Lancy."
She stepped at once to his side as they entered the room, and gave him a sisterly embrace, making Dexie's quiet "good morning" seem a cool greeting in comparison; there seemed a strange restraint between them that neither had felt before, which forbade any show of feeling on either side. This was noticed at once by Mrs. Taylor, who was brightening up the fire, and she said:
"Seems to me you haven't such a warm welcome for your brother as your sister gives him, yet he has been inquiring very particularly after you."
"He is not my brother, Mrs. Taylor. I do not know how the mistake has been made, but we are no relation whatever."
"Not your brother! Then who are you, my dear?" smiling at Dexie's blushing face.
"Lancy, introduce me properly," and Dexie rose to her feet.
Catching the spirit of mischief that shone in her eyes, he stepped quickly to her side, and with a flourish made the introduction.
"Allow me to make you acquainted with our next-door neighbor, Miss Dexie Sherwood."
Dexie bowed graciously to the several occupants of the room, who rose to their feet, and all embarrassment fled at once.