But Dolly did not know then how readily people can forget the life of
toil behind them and adapt themselves to one of luxury and ease; and
with her the adaptability commenced in some degree the moment
Shannondale station was reached, and she saw the handsome carriage
waiting for them. A carriage finer far and more modern than the one from
Collingwood, in which Mrs. Atherton and the young lady took their seats,
laughing and chatting so gayly that they did not see the woman in the
big plaid who stood watching them with a rising feeling of jealousy and
resentment as she thought of Mrs. Atherton, 'She does not even notice
me.'
But when the Tracy carriage drew up, Grace Atherton saw and recognized
her, and whispered, in an aside to her companion:
'For goodness' sake, Edith, look! There are the Tracys, our new
neighbors.' Then she bowed to Mrs. Tracy, and said: 'Ah, I did not know
you were on the train.'
'I sat right behind you,' was Mrs. Tracy's rather ungracious reply: and
then, not knowing whether she ought to do it or not, she introduced her
husband.
'Yes, Mr. Tracy--how do you do?' was Mrs. Atherton's response; but she
did not in return introduce the young girl, whose dark eyes were
scanning the strangers so curiously, and this Dolly took as a slight and
inwardly resented it.
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