As she descended from the parlor-car
there stood Mrs. Presbury upon the platform, face
wreathed in the most joyous of welcoming smiles, not
a surface trace of the curiosity and alarm storming
within. After they had kissed and embraced with a
genuine emotion which they did not try to hide, because
both suddenly became unconscious of that world whereof
ordinarily they were constantly mindful--after caresses
and tears Mrs. Presbury said:
``It's all very well to dress plain, when everyone
knows you can afford the best. But don't you think
you're overdoing it a little?''
Mildred laughed somewhat nervously. ``Wait till
we're safe at home,'' said she.
On the way up from the station in the carriage they
chattered away in the liveliest fashion, to make the
proper impression upon any observing Hanging-
Rockers. ``Luckily, Presbury's gone to town to-day,''
said his wife. ``But really he's quite livable--hasn't
gone back to his old ways. He doesn't know it, but
he's rapidly growing deaf. He imagines that everyone
is speaking more and more indistinctly, and he has
lost interest in conversation.
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