Miss Bentley, however, having recently developed a bump of discretion,
did first consult Dr. Prue in the matter, who responded, "Why certainly,
I see no objection to your asking to see the book. Mr. Knight is a
harmless, studious man. I have met him on two occasions when I was
called in to attend his housekeeper, Mrs. Sampson, and he was courtesy
itself. I will go with you and introduce you, if you like."

Virginia, hanging around and overhearing, begged to be allowed to go
too. "I'd love to see the inside of his house," she urged.

She was assured she would find it stupid, but this was as nothing
compared with the glory of entering the abode of the Miser in company
with her ladyship, and the other pigeons looking enviously on outside.

Dr. Prue, of course, had no time to waste, so Margaret Elizabeth
hastened to find her pad and pencil, and across the street they went
forthwith. The Miser was discovered in his library, a spacious, shabby
room, yet not too shabby for dignity, full of valuable and even rare
things, such as old prints and engravings, and most of all of books,
which overflowed their shelves in a scholarly disorder not unfamiliar
to Margaret Elizabeth.

With businesslike brevity Dr. Vandegrift presented her cousin and her
credentials to Mr. Knight, who, with a quaint and formal courtesy, was
happy to oblige the daughter of an author so distinguished in his chosen
field.

Miss Bentley in her turn presented, with suitable gravity, Miss Virginia
Brooks, who promised to be quiet as a mouse, and whose eyes betrayed her