ill. I read a story about
mill-girls once; how they wore pattens on their feet and shawls on their
heads, and talked so broadly that you couldn't understand them, and threw
mud at strangers. I would like'----

'To have mud thrown at you?' exclaimed her mother. 'Well, there's no
accounting for tastes!'

Horatia gave a merry laugh, such an infectious laugh that both her mother
and father joined in it.

'No; I should keep out of their way, and look at them through a window,'
she remarked.

'Perhaps they'd throw a stone through the window and break it,' observed
Horatia's practical sister.

'Well, I promise to duck my head if I see one coming,' she assured them,
laughing.

'I don't suppose there will be any need. I fancy mill-hands, as I believe
they call them, are very much civilised, and dress quite grandly now,'
said her mother.

'Oh, I hope not! I shall be disappointed if they do,' cried Horatia.

Thus it came about that two mornings after she had despatched her letter
Sarah had an answer from Horatia Cunningham, accepting her friend's kind
invitation with pleasure, and announcing her arrival at the end of the
week.

'So you were right, and she is coming,' Sarah said gloomily to her
brother, as she twisted the letter in her fingers.

'That's very nice. You must think of nice expeditions to take her. There
is lovely scenery within reach, especially if she's fond of motoring,' he
said.

'I wish to goodness the visit were over. I have a presentiment that it
will be a failure,' his sister persisted.

'Don't be absurd! It won't be a failure if you try to make it a success;
and, if you don't mind my giving you a hint, be civil to the governor
before Miss Cunningham, at all events; it's such bad form not to be, you
know,' said George.

'I wish you'd give the governor, as you call him, a hint or two. He's the
one who'll make the visit a failure, if it is one. Well, she's going to
come, so it's no use groaning about it now,' said Sarah.

'Now, Sally, what are you looking so glum about? I suppose you don't
think we're grand enough for your duchess-friend? Never you mind, we'll
put our best foot forward. She shall have the royal suite of rooms. I've
made up my mind to do the thing handsome,' said Mr Clay.

'Oh Mark, that is good o' you! I 'ope the young lady won't spoil 'em,'
said his wife.

The royal suite of rooms, it should be explained, consisted of a bedroom,
anteroom, sitting-room, and bathroom, which h