It soon became a decided `` fad '' in their set to go to see Miss Sally . Everybody who met her loved her at sight . It was considered a special treat to be taken by the Seymours to Golden Gate . As for Miss Sally , her cup of happiness was almost full . She had `` company '' to her heart 's content and of the very kind she loved -- bright , merry , fun-loving girls who devoured her dainties with a frank zest that delighted her , filled the quaint old rooms with laughter and life , and chattered to her of all their plans and frolics and hopes . There was just one little cloud on Miss Sally 's fair sky . `` If only Cousin Abner 's girls would come ! '' she once said wistfully to Mary . `` Nobody can quite take the place of one 's own , you know . My heart yearns after them . '' Mary was very silent and thoughtful as she drove back to Trenton that night . Two days afterwards , she went to Mrs. Gardiner 's lawn party . The Reed girls were there . They were tall , fair , handsome girls , somewhat too lavishly and pronouncedly dressed in expensive gowns and hats , and looking , as they felt , very much on the outside of things . They brightened and bridled , however , when Mrs. Gardiner brought Mary Seymour up and introduced her . If there was one thing on earth that the Reed girls longed for more than another it was to `` get in '' with the Seymour girls . After Mary had chatted with them for a few minutes in a friendly way , she said , `` I think we have a mutual friend in Miss Sally Temple of Golden Gate , have n't we ? I 'm sure I 've heard her speak of you . '' The Reed girls flushed . They did not care to have the rich Seymour girls know of their connection with that queer old cousin of their father 's who lived in that out-of-the-world spot up-country .
`` She is a distant cousin XXXXX ours , '' said Beatrice carelessly , `` but we 've never met her . ''
If after as at by in of on to with