Hilda, whose nervousness was quickly vanishing, came between them to warm her hands that were shining with cold, despite muff and gloves.

"Here, mother!" she said teasingly, putting the muff and gloves in her mother's lap.
Sarah Gailey rose with slow stiffness from her chair.
"Now don't let this child disturb you, Sarah!" Mrs.Lessways protested.
"Oh no, Caroline!" said Miss Gailey composedly.

"I was only getting my apron." From a reticule on the table she drew forth a small black satin apron on which was embroidered in filoselle a spray of moss-roses.

It was extremely elegant--much more so than Mrs.Lessways'-- though not in quite the latest style of fashionable aprons; not being edible, it had probably been long preserved in a wardrobe, on the chance of just such an occasion as this.

She adjusted the elastic round her thin waist, and sat down again.