"We are all in love with her already. But she must be patient
with us. We're very humdrum folk!"
Mrs. Colwood could only say that Miss Mallory seemed to be in love with
everything--the house, the church, the village, and the neighbors. Mrs.
Roughsedge shook her gray curls, smiling, as she replied that this was
no doubt partly due to novelty. After her long residence abroad, Miss
Mallory was--it was very evident--glad to come home. Poor thing--she
must have known a great deal of trouble--an only child, and no mother!
"Well, I'm sure if there's anything _we_ can do--"
Mrs. Roughsedge nodded cheerfully towards her husband and son in front.
The gesture awakened a certain natural reserve in Mrs. Colwood, followed
by a quick feeling of amusement with herself that she should so soon
have developed the instinct of the watch-dog. But it was not to be
denied that the new mistress of Beechcote was well endowed, as single
women go. Fond mothers with marriageable sons might require some
handling.
But Mrs. Roughsedge's simple kindness soon baffled distrust. And Mrs.
Colwood was beginning to talk freely, when suddenly the Vicar and Miss
Mallory in front came to a stop.
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