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 ? ' said another . ` Do n't look as if you 'd never seen a gentlewoman before , Milly . We are not all fresh from the wilderness , ' added the stately damsel who , having Mayflower ancestors , felt that she was the equal of all the crowned heads of Europe . ` Hush , she 's coming ! Oh , my heart , what a bonnet ! ' cried the gay girl in a stage whisper ; and every eye was demurely fixed upon the busy hands as the door opened to admit Mrs Laurence and her guest . It was rather a shock to find , after the general introduction was over , that this daughter of a hundred earls was a stout lady in a plain gown , and a rather weather-beaten bonnet , with a bag of papers in one hand and a note-book in the other . But the face was full of benevolence , the sonorous voice very kind , the genial manners very winning , and about the whole person an indescribable air of high breeding which made beauty of no consequence , costume soon forgotten , and the moment memorable to the keen-eyed girls whom nothing escaped .
A little chat about the rise , growth , and success of this particular class , and then Mrs XXXXX led the conversation to the English lady 's work , anxious to show her pupils how rank dignifies labour , and charity blesses wealth .
Europe Jo Laurence Mayflower Meg Milly earls garters masse note-book