Let us try to be sorry for them, instead of being disgusted."
"But, mother--"
"Sh-h! she'll hear you. I'm going to bow to her; I wish you'd do the
same."
"Mother!"
"To oblige me; I'll explain afterwards."
The couple were now within several steps of Jane, who, with an odd
mixture of wistfulness and scare, had been studying Eleanor's attire.
When she saw both women looking at her, she began to take a defiant
attitude, but the toss of her head was met by one of Mrs. Prency's
heartiest smiles, accompanied by a similar recognition from Eleanor.
Short as was the time that could elapse before the couple had passed
her, it was long enough to show a change in Jane's face,--a change so
notable that Eleanor whispered,--
"Did you ever see any one alter looks so quickly?"
"Never; but I sha'n't lose any opportunity to see it again," said Mrs.
Prency.
"Mother, dear," said Eleanor, "I hope you're not suddenly going to
recognize every common person you may meet on the street. You're so
enthusiastic."
"And so different from my daughter in that respect,--eh, dear?"
"But, mother, you've always been so careful and fastidious about your
associations and mine. I remember the time, only a year or two ago,
while I was at school, when you would have been horrified if I'd had
anything to do with a creature like that.
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