IX

In an apartment overlooking Central Park in New York Mrs. Robson exclaimed: “If that isn’t justtoo lovely! You really are the luckiest girl, Cornelia.”

Cornelia Robson flushed responsively. She was a big clumsy looking girl with brown doglikeeyes.

“Oh, it will be wonderful!” she gasped¹.

Old Miss Van Schuyler inclined her head in a satisfied fashion at this correct attitude on the partof poor relations. “I’ve always dreamed of a trip to Europe,” sighed Cornelia, “but I just didn’t feelI’d ever get there.”

“Miss Bowers² will come with me as usual, of course,” said Miss Van Schuyler, “but as a socialcompanion I find her limited—very limited. There are many little things that Cornelia can do forme.”

“I’d just love to, Cousin Marie,” said Cornelia eagerly.

“Well, well, then that’s settled,” said Miss Van Schuyler. “Just run and find Miss Bowers, mydear. It’s time for my eggnog.”

Cornelia departed. Her mother said: “My dear Marie, I’m really most grateful to you! You knowI think Cornelia suffers a lot from not being a social success. It makes her feel kind of mortified³. IfI could afford to take her to places—but you know how it’s been since Ned died.”

“I’m very glad to take her,” said Miss Van Schuyler. “Cornelia has always been a nice handygirl, willing to run errands, and not so selfish as some of these young people nowadays.”

Mrs. Robson rose and kissed her rich relative’s wrinkled and slightly yellow face.

“I’m just ever so grateful,” she declared.

On the stairs she met a tall capable-looking woman who was carrying a glass containing ayellow foamy⁴ liquid.

“Well, Miss Bowers, so you’re off to Europe?”

“Why, yes, Mrs. Robson.”

“What a lovely trip!”

“Why, yes, I should think it would be very enjoyable.”

“But you’ve been abroad before?”

“Oh, yes, Mrs. Robson. I went over to Paris with Miss Van Schuyler last fall. But I’ve neverbeen to Egypt before.”

Mrs. Robson hesitated.

“I do hope—there won’t be any—trouble.”

She had lowered her voice. Miss Bowers, however, replied in her usual tone:

“Oh, no, Mrs. Robson; I shall take good care of that. I keep a very sharp look out always.”

But there was still a faint shadow on Mrs. Robson’s face as she slowly continued down thestairs.

 

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