Then I was obliged to tell them that I did not reach Vernon, and how I had spent the night.
"With the Putneys!" exclaimed the mother.

"I am sure you could not have been entertained in a finer house!" They asked me many questions and I told them many things, and I soon discovered that they took a generous interest in the lives of other people.

They spoke of the good this rich family had done in the neighborhood during the building of their great house and the improvement of their estate, and not a word did I hear of ridicule or scandalous comment, although in good truth there was opportunity enough for it.
The young lady asked me if I had seen Miss Putney, and when I replied that I had, she inquired if I did not think that she was a very pretty girl.

"I do not know her," she said, "but I have often seen her when she was out driving.

I do not believe there is any one in this part of the country who dresses better than she does." I laughed, and told her that I thought I knew somebody who dressed much finer even than Miss Putney, and then I described the incident of the Duke's dressing-gown.