black silk of a dozen years old, with a long, heavy gold chain around
her neck and a cap fashioned after the English style upon her head,
stood up very tall and stiff to receive Mrs. Geraldine, but did not bend
her head when she saw it was that lady's intention to kiss her.

"I know she would as soon kiss a piece of sole-leather as me, and I
would rather kiss a flour-barrel than that powdered face," was her
thought; and so she only gave her hand to Mrs. Jerrold, who told her how
glad she was to see her and how much she was pleased with her brother,
the Hon. John McPherson, and his charming wife, the Lady Jane.

"Why have you never spoken of them to us? I should be proud of such
relatives," she said; and Miss McPherson replied:

"Umph! What's the use? I'm no better, no worse for them."

Just then the sound of bells was heard, and Hannah and Grey came in, and
were received most cordially by Miss McPherson, who unbent to them as
she had not done to the Boston lady. Indeed, there was something even
tender in her voice as she spoke to Hannah and inquired after her
father. Then, turning to Grey, she laid one hand on his head, and taking
his chin in the other, looked searchingly in his face as she said:

"I wonder if you are the same boy I used to like so much, or has a trip
to Europe spoiled you, as it does so many Americans?"

"Not a bit of it," Grey answered, merrily. "Europe is grand; Europe is
beautiful; but she is very old, and I like young America better, with
her freedom and her go-ahead, even if she is not as intensely
respectable, and dignified, as her mother across the water."