“Certainly, I would not miss for the world,” answered Auntie.
Mumsie’s manner was more formal than I had yet known her use, and it struck me the lady had something on her mind.
“I suppose you are doing your Christmas shopping early out of consideration for the help.”
“No, not exactly,” replied Mumsie, “I am helping my friend here. Elsie, let me introduce you to Mrs. Lien. This is my niece, Elsie Travers, who is to spend the winter with me. She is a debutante.”
Mrs. Lien flashed me a critical glance, and said rather grandly: “I have no doubt Miss Travers will enjoy herself. It must be very interesting getting her outfit.”
When she had gone I wondered whether her manner had wounded or gladdened me. I had received something of a shock.
At dinner I said to Uncle: “Who is Mrs. Lien?”
Uncle repeated the question with a smile growing on his lips and the merriest twinkle in his eyes.
“My dear, one would think you were Mrs. Grundy herself,” laughed Mumsie, “by the severe way in which you asked the question.”
“Mrs. Lien is a Yankee; so we know nothing of her antecedents. She is the wife of Stephen Lien, who on his part,” said Uncle slowly “is the son of his father.”