"How good of you to take pity on us!" she said, giving him her hand.
Then she put him at one with the others: "Aunt Martha you have met;
also Cousin Bessie. Let me present you to Mr. Calvert: Cousin Billy,
this is Mr. Adams, who is responsible in a way for many of my
Boston-learned gaucheries."

Aunt Martha closed the book on her finger. "My dear Virginia!" she
protested in mild deprecation; and Adams laughed and shook hands with
the Reverend William Calvert and made Virginia's peace all in the same
breath.

"Don't apologize for Miss Virginia, Mrs. Carteret. We were very good
friends in Boston, chiefly, I think, because I never objected when she
wanted to--er--to take a rise out of me." Then to Virginia: "I hope I
don't intrude?"

"Not in the least. Didn't I just say you were good to come? Uncle
Somerville tells us we are passing through the famous Golden
Belt,--whatever that may be,--and recommends an easy-chair and a
window. But I haven't seen anything but stubble-fields--dismally wet
stubble-fields at that. Won't you sit down and help me watch them go
by?"

Adams placed a chair for her and found one for himself.

"'Uncle Somerville'--am I to have the pleasure of meeting Mr.
Somerville Darrah?"

Miss Virginia's laugh was non-committal.