"
she continued, in a would-be-humble tone, which, in spite of all her
efforts, could not help swelling a little.

"Yes, dear, that's what I allude to; I saw her from behind the wire
screen blind. We were having steak and onions for dinner, and the doctor
didn't like me jumping up just when I had a hot bit on my plate. But I
said, it's Mrs. Bertram, Sam, and she's standing on Mrs. Meadowsweet's
steps! There wasn't a remonstrance out of him after that, and the only
other remark he made was, 'You'll call round presently, Jessie, and
inquire after Mrs. Meadowsweet's cold.' So here I am, my dear. And how
_is_ your cold, by the way?"

"It's getting on nicely, Jessie. Wasn't that a ring I heard at the door
bell?"

"Well, I never!" Mrs. Morris suddenly found her voice. "If it isn't that
tiresome Mrs. Butler and Miss Peters. And now I won't be first with the
news after all!"

Mrs. Meadowsweet smiled again.

"There really isn't so much to tell, Jessie. Mrs. Bertram was just
affable like every one else. Ah, and how are you, Mrs. Butler? Now, I do
call this kind and neighborly. Miss Peters, I trust your cough is
better?"

"I'm glad to see you, Mrs. Meadowsweet," said Mrs. Butler, in a slightly
out-of-breath tone.

"My cough is no better," snapped Miss Peters. "Although it's summer, the
wind is due east; east wind always catches me in the throat."

Miss Peters was very small and slim. She wore little iron-gray,
corkscrew curls, and had bright, beady black eyes. Miss Peters was Mrs.
Butler's sister. She was a snappy little body, but rather afraid of Mrs.
Butler, who was more snappy. This fear gave her an unpleasant habit of
rolling her eyes in the direction of Mrs. Butler whenever she spoke. She
rolled them now as she described the way the east wind had treated her
throat.

Mrs. Butler seated herself in an aggressive manner on the edge of the
sofa, and Miss Peters took a chair as close as possible to Mrs. Morris,
who pushed hers away from her.

Each lady was anxious to engross the whole attention of Mrs.
Meadowsweet, and it was scarcely possible for the good-natured woman not
to feel flattered.

"Now, you'll all have a cup of tea with me," she said. "I know Jane's
getting it, but I'll ring the bell to hasten her. Ah, thank you, Miss
Peters."

Miss Peters had sprung to her feet, seized the bell-rope before any one
could hinder her, and sounded a vigorous peal. Then she rolled her eyes
at Mrs. Butler and sat down.