Lady Abercrombie is lunching with her , and after seeing the college is to call on us . She especially wanted to see our sewing-school , as she is interested in things of this sort , and gets them up at home . ' ` Bless me ! I always imagined lords and ladies did nothing but ride round in a coach and six , go to balls , and be presented to the Queen in cocked hats , and trains and feathers , ' exclaimed an artless young person from the wilds of Maine , whither an illustrated paper occasionally wandered . ` Not at all ; Lord Abercrombie is over here studying up our American prison system , and my lady is busy with the schools -- both very high-born , but the simplest and most sensible people I 've met this long time . They are neither of them young nor handsome , and dress plainly ; so do n't expect anything splendid . Mr Laurence was telling me last night about a friend of his who met my lord in the hall , and owing to a rough greatcoat and a red face , mistook him for a coachman , and said : `` Now , my man , what do you want here ? '' Lord Abercrombie mildly mentioned who he was , and that he had come to dinner . And the poor host was much afflicted , saying afterward : `` Why did n't he wear his stars and garters ? then a fellow would know he was a lord . '' ' The girls laughed again , and a general rustle betrayed that each was prinking a bit before the titled guest arrived . Even Mrs Jo settled her collar , and Mrs Meg felt if her cap was right , while Bess shook out her curls and Josie boldly consulted the glass ; for they were women , in spite of philosophy and philanthropy . ` Shall we all rise ? ' asked one girl , deeply impressed by the impending honour . ` It would be courteous . ' ` Shall we shake hands ? ' ` No , I 'll present you en masse , and your pleasant faces will be introduction enough . ' ' I wish I 'd worn my best dress . Ought to have told us , ' whispered Sally . ` Wo n't my folks be surprised when I tell them we have had a real lady to call on us ? '
XXXXX another .
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