I wish
Bessie, you had more tact, for I know he was interested in you. He is
worth forty Neil McPhersons."
"Oh, mother, please don't talk like that," Bessie said, thinking to
herself that she could tell, if she would, why he did not play as
formerly, and feeling a great throb of gladness that he was keeping his
promise to her.
If he had been coming to Stoneleigh, Bessie would not have cared for her
surroundings, or her shabby shoes for he would not have noticed them, or
if he did, he would not have let her know it as Neil was sure to do.
Neil was very particular and critical, and had more than once hurt
Bessie cruelly with his criticism upon her dress. But then he was just
as severe upon Blanche, and that was some comfort, and with a sigh, as
she remembered what he had said of being as good as engaged, she put the
letter aside, and went to tell Dorothy of the expected guests and to
consult with her as to the ways and means of making them comfortable.
"Fortunately I have some money saved, of my own, and you must make it go
as far as possible, and be sure that we have a good Christmas dinner,
with plum-pudding and whipped cream," she said, as she emptied into the
old servant's hand what had been intended for boots and gloves, and a
Christmas present for her father.
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