“Silver forks!” cried Kitty, “I never heard of such a thing. Do tell, now, if city folks be so proud! Napkins! I guess you mean towels. Why he always wipes on that are roller in the back pizaz. Finger-glasses! Sakes alive!—what does the woman mean? Finger-glasses! Well, that beats all creation, and more too!” and with a hearty laugh, she slapped the steak upon the platter just as the gig of Rupert stopped at the gate.
The happy wife, now forgetting all annoyances, flew to meet her beloved husband, and while partaking of their simple dinner, greatly amused him by her artless details of that morning’s experience.
But Rupert was obliged to go out again immediately, leaving Anna once more solitary. She had, however, learned a lesson; and knowing it would be vain to look for Kitty’s assistance, she herself unpacked her beautiful dresses, feeling sadly at a loss for commodious bureaus and extensive wardrobes to contain her splendid paraphernalia. To hang up those rich silks and satins on wooden pegs against a white-washed wall, seemed desecration; so these she refolded, and placed once more in her trunk, determining in her own mind that Rupert must at once supply those essential articles, which she was very sure it would be impossible to do without. Countless bareges, cashmeres, and mousselines, however, cast their variegated tints through the chamber, and the one bureau, and the little dressing-table were loaded with finery.
After arranging every thing in the best manner she could, Anna exchanged her white morning negligée for a light silk, and drawing on a pair of gloves, went below to await the return of Rupert.
Hardly had she sat down, when she perceived several ladies coming up the walk, while a loud knocking at the street-door almost immediately, as certainly announced them to be visiters. Supposing, of course, Kitty would obey the summons, she remained quietly turning over a book of engravings. The knocking was several times repeated, and Anna beginning to feel uneasy at the delay, when —
“Miss Forbes!” screamed Kitty, from the kitchen, “why on arth don’t you let them folks in! I guess I aint a going to leave my mopping, and my old gown all torn to slits!”
For a moment indignation at the insolence of her servant crimsoned Anna’s brow. This was, indeed, an episode in the life of a city belle—to be ordered by a menial to attend the door—to appear before strangers in the capacity of a waiter.
Happily, the unceremonious entrance of the ladies relieved her perplexity. She received her visiters with that ease and grace of manner so peculiarly her own, at once placing the whole party upon the footing of old acquaintances, and almost disarming even the most prejudiced, by her affability and sweetness. To have wholly done so would have been a miracle indeed, so much were many of her new neighbors for doubting that any good or usefulness could pertain to one brought up amid the frivolities of the city.
——