"In what?"
"Why! in the work; in the talk. What are you sitting in a corner here for?"
"You know, Norton, I do not know anybody."
"Hasn't Judy introduced you? Not to any one?" said Norton. "Left you here? Judy Bartholomew! if it wasn't Christmas night and an inconvenient time to make a row"—
"Hush, hush, Norton. I am having a very good time," said Matilda, looking as she felt, like a very happy little girl.
"Well," said Norton, "there are two odd people here to-night. One of 'em's Judy Bartholomew, and the other is—somebody you don't know. Come! come here. Esther Francis!—this is my sister, my new sister Matilda. Hasn't Judy introduced you?"
Norton had caught by the arm, as she was passing, a girl of about Judy's age, whom he thus brought face to face with Matilda. She was sweet-faced and very handsomely dressed, and she had no sort of shyness about her. She took Matilda's hand and looked at her with a steady look.
"Take care of her, will you?" Norton went on. "I have got to go and arrange things with Davie; and Judy has her head full. Tell Matilda who's who; she does not know the people yet."
The two girls stood a minute or two silently together; Esther giving however a side glance now and then at her companion.
"You have not been long in town?" she said then, by way of beginning.