Her spirits did not revive when she saw Mrs. Cowell and
Louise, who were waiting to receive her, and welcomed her with much
cordiality.
As they rode home in the dusty 'carry-all,' Mrs. Cowell was evidently
studying Mary's elegant and expensive travelling-dress, from her
Russia leather satchel to her dainty boots and gloves, while Mary had
taken in at a glance the terribly dowdy appearance of Louise and her
mother--the old lady's black alpaca suit, made evidently at home and
Louise's Scotch plaid dress, and dyed, and too scant silk overekirt;
and yet, with such toilets, it was a relief to her to find they were
not coarse.
As they passed through the town Mrs. Cowell and Louise pointed out
some of the attractions, which they considered must astonish their
visitor, and were evidently disappointed at the equanimity with which
she regarded them. Mary, however, could be very sweet; and, although
an idea was forming in her mind that Mrs. and Miss Cowell could never
become relatives of hers, she exerted herself to charm them, and
succeeded. The old lady thought she was a giddy young thing, quite
unused to travelling, or she would never wear a dress beautiful
enough for gala day attire on the cars, but that when she became
toned down by Louise's example all would come right; but at the same
time she determined herself to give her a few hints on extravagance,
especially on the folly of wearing an Irish poplin dress to travel in.
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