'To my face!' said Kitty. 'Well!—That is she, I know, behind
Mr. May. Introduce us Richard, please.'
Mr. May stepped aside, and with extreme formality presented Miss Fisher to the lady of Chickaree. Kitty touched hands,—and paused, forgetting to take her own away. The young 'unwonted' face was certainly a novelty to her. And a surprise.
'We shall all be jealous of her for her little mouth,' was her first remark. 'Don't everybody generally kiss you, child, that comes near enough?'
Wych Hazel withdrew her hand, stepping back again in her astonishment, and surveying Miss Fisher.
'People do not—generally—come near enough,' she said, as well as it could be said.
There was a little round of applause from the gentlemen at that. Kitty Fisher nodded, not at all displeased.
'She'll do,' she said. 'I was afraid she was nothing but a milksop,—all strawberries and cream. I vow she's handsome!'
'Handsome is that handsome does,' said Rollo. 'Miss Kitty, will you sit down and take things calmly?'—offering a chair.
'Yes, I'll take the chair; and Miss Kennedy and I'll divide the civil speech between us,' said Kitty Fisher, placing herself close by Hazel. 'It's awfully nice here. What are you all about?'
'Just unable to get on for want of Miss Fisher,' said Stuart.
'Calling for you, in fact.'