They put Susan
through a few lessons in introductions, practised calling her
"Aunt Rachel," and bolstered up her failing courage by telling her
how well she looked.
The first guest to arrive was Jack Pennington. Being a graceful
mannered boy he acknowledged his introduction to Mrs. Hastings
with just the correct blending of deference and cordiality. "Isn't
it warm?" he said, and as this required no answer save, "It is,
indeed," Susan acquitted herself creditably, and even refrained
from saying "indade." Then the others came, and being a merry
crowd of young people, they merely paused for a word or two with
the elderly stranger, before turning away to their own interests.
And, if by chance, one or two showed a tendency to linger and
converse with her, Patty and Mona were at hand to take up the
burden of the conversation.
After all had arrived, Patty conducted Susan to a pleasant seat
near an open window, provided her with her knitting and a book,
and gave her a whispered permission to doze a little if she wished
to.
So far as the girls could see, not one of the guests had suspected
that Mrs. Hastings was other than an aunt of Mona's, nor had they
given her a second thought. To their minds a chaperon was a
necessary piece of furniture, but of only a momentary interest.
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