He had said so many things of this sort, ostensibly to Mrs. Rexford,
really to Sophia, who was usually a party to his calls on her mother,
that he had inspired in them some of his own pleasurable anticipation.
It was not until the summer visitors were come that they realised how
great was the contrast between their own bare manner of living and the
easy-going expenditure of these people, who were supposed to be such
choice acquaintances for them. Everything is relative. They had not been
mortified by any comparison of their own circumstances and those of
Chellaston families, because, on one account and another, there had
always appeared to be something to equalise the difference. Either their
neighbours, if better off, had not long ago begun as meagrely, or else
they lacked those advantages of culture or social standing which the
Rexfords could boast. Such are the half conscious refuges of our
egotism. But with the introduction of this new element it was different.
Not that they drew any definite comparison between themselves and their
new neighbours--for things that are different cannot be compared, and
the difference on all points was great; but part of Trenholme's prophecy
took place; the life in that pleasant land did appear more and more
desirable as they witnessed the keen enjoyment that these people, who
were not workers, took in it--only (Trenholme and Miss Bennett seemed to
have overlooked this) the leisure and means for such enjoyment were not
theirs.

"Oh, mamma," said Blue and Red, "we saw the Miss Browns driving on the
road, and they had such pretty silver-grey frocks, with feathers in
their hats to match. We wish we could have feathers to match our
frocks."

And later Sophia, seeking her step-mother, found her in her own room,