and smothered.

"I saw her coming in, my dear; I was standing at the back of the wire
blind, and I saw her going up your steps, so I thought I'd come across
quickly and hear the news. You'll tell me the news as soon as possible,
won't you? Mrs. Butler and Miss Peters are coming to call in a few
minutes. I met them and they told me so. They saw her, too. You'll tell
me the news quickly, Lucy, for I'd like to be first, and it seems as if
I had a right to that much consideration, being an old friend."

"So you have, Jessie."

Mrs. Meadowsweet looked immensely flattered.

"I suppose you allude to Mrs. Bertram having favored me with a call,"
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?"