What Penhallow skeleton had she unwittingly jangled ? Why , oh , why , was it such an evident breach of the proprieties to praise Lucinda ? Mrs. George was devoutly thankful that a summons to the tea-table rescued her from her mire of embarrassment . The meal was spoiled for her , however ; the mortifying recollection of her mysterious blunder conspired with her curiosity to banish appetite . As soon as possible after tea she decoyed Mrs. Frederick out into the garden and in the dahlia walk solemnly demanded the reason of it all . Mrs. Frederick indulged in a laugh which put the mettle of her festal brown silk seams to the test . `` My dear Cecilia , it was SO amusing , '' she said , a little patronizingly . `` But WHY ! '' cried Mrs. George , resenting the patronage and the mystery . `` What was so dreadful in what I said ? Or so funny ? And WHO is this Romney Penhallow who must n't be spoken to ? '' `` Oh , Romney is one of the Charlottetown Penhallows , '' explained Mrs. Frederick . `` He is a lawyer there . He is a first cousin of Lucinda 's and a second of George 's -- or is he ? Oh , bother ! You must go to Uncle John if you want the genealogy . I 'm in a chronic muddle concerning Penhallow relationship . And , as for Romney , of course you can speak to him about anything you like except Lucinda . Oh , you innocent !
To ask him if he did n't think XXXXX was looking well !
Cecilia Frederick George John Lucinda Penhallow Penhallows Romney genealogy mire