Mrs.Field twitched it away fiercely, and passed on into the sitting-room.

The woman stood there waiting.

She had followed Lois in.
"How do you do, Mis' Maxwell ?" she said.
"I'm pretty well, thank you," replied Mrs.Field, looking at her with stiff inquiry.
The woman had a pale, pretty face, and stood with a sturdy set-back on her heels.

"I guess you don't know me, Mis' Maxwell," said she, smiling deprecatingly.
Mrs.Field tried to smile, but her lips were too stiff.

"I guess I--don't," she faltered.
The smile faded from the woman's face.