steady, respectable driver, and ordered it to come at half past two.
Then, without saying anything to Clara, she told Nedda to be ready to pop
in her bag, trusting to her powers of explaining everything to everybody
without letting anybody know anything. Little difficulties of this sort
never bunkered her; she was essentially a woman of action. And on the
drive to Joyfields she stilled the girl's quavering with:

"It's all right, darling; it'll be very nice for them."

She was perhaps the only person in the world who was not just a little
bit afraid of Kirsteen. Indeed, she was constitutionally unable to be
afraid of anything, except motor-cars, and, of course, earwigs, and even
them one must put up with. Her critical sense told her that this woman
in blue was just like anybody else, besides her father had been the
colonel of a Highland regiment, which was quite nice, and one must put
the best face on her.

In this way, pointing out the beauty of each feature of the scenery, and
not permitting herself or Nedda to think about the bag, they drove until
they came to Joyfields.

Kirsteen alone was in, and, having sent Nedda into the orchard to look
for her uncle, Frances Freeland came at once to the point. It was so
important, she thought, that darling Nedda should see more of dear Derek.
They were very young, and if she could stay for a few weeks, they would
both know their minds so much better. She had made her bring her bag,
because she knew dear Kirsteen would agree with her; and it would be so
nice for them all. Felix had told her about that poor man who had done
this dreadful thing, and she thought that if Nedda were here it would be
a distraction. She was a very good child, and quite useful in the house.
And while she was speaking she watched Kirsteen, and thought: 'She is
very handsome, and altogether ladylike; only it is such a pity she wears
that blue thing in her hair--it makes her so conspicuous.' And rather
unexpectedly she said:

"Do you know, dear, I believe I know the very thing to keep your hair
from getting loose. It's such lovely hair. And this is quite a new
thing, and doesn't show at all; invented by a very nice hairdresser in
Worcester. It's simplicity itself. Do let me show you!" Quickly going
over, she removed the kingfisher-blue fillet, and making certain passes
with her fingers through the hair, murmured:

"It's so beautifully fine; it seems such a pity not to show it all, dear.