the veranda, only a moment before; in the brief instant between the
dishing-up of dinner and its actual announcement she had managed to
change her dress, put on a clean collar, cuffs, and a large jet brooch,
and apply some odorous unguent to her rebellious hair. Her face,
guiltless of powder or cold cream, was still shining with the healthy
perspiration of her last labors as she promptly took the vacant chair
beside Mainwaring.

"Don't mind me, folks," she said cheerfully, resting her plump elbow on
the table, and addressing the company generally, but gazing with frank
curiosity into the face of the young man at her side. "It was a keen
jump, I tell yer, to get out of my old duds inter these, and look
decent inside o' five minutes. But I reckon I ain't kept yer waitin'
long--least of all this yer sick stranger. But you're looking pearter
than you did. You're wonderin' like ez not where I ever saw ye before?"
she continued, laughing. "Well, I'll tell you. Last week! I'd kem over
yer on a chance of seein' Jenny Bradley, and while I was meanderin' down
the veranda I saw you lyin' back in your chair by the window drowned
in sleep, like a baby. Lordy! I mout hev won a pair o' gloves, but I
reckoned you were Loo's game, and not mine."

The slightly constrained laugh which went round the table after Miss
Minty's speech was due quite as much to the faint flush that had
accented Mainwaring's own smile as to the embarrassing remark itself.
Mrs. Bradley and Miss Macy exchanged rapid glances. Bradley, who alone
retained his composure, with a slight flicker of amusement in the corner
of his eye and nostril, said quickly: "You see, Mainwaring, how nature
stands ready to help your convalescence at every turn. If Miss Minty
had only followed up her healing opportunity, your cure would have been
complete."