Frances had always been her favourite granddaughter , but she had never been blind , clear-sighted old lady that she was , to the little leaven of easy-going selfishness in the girl 's nature . She was pleased to see that Frances had conquered it this time . `` I 'm glad it is you who have come -- principally because you are cleverer than Cecilia , '' she said brusquely . `` Or at least you are the better talker . And I want a clever girl and a good talker to help me entertain a guest today . She 's clever herself , and she likes young girls . She is a particular friend of your Uncle Robert 's family down south , and that is why I have asked her to spend a few days with me . You 'll like her . '' Here Grandmother Newbury led Frances into the sitting-room . `` Mrs. Kennedy , this is my granddaughter , Frances Newbury . I told you about her and her ambitions last night . You see , Frances , we have talked you over . '' Mrs. Kennedy was a much younger woman than Grandmother Newbury . She was certainly no more than fifty and , in spite of her grey hair , looked almost girlish , so bright were her dark eyes , so clear-cut and fresh her delicate face , and so smart her general appearance . Frances , although not given to sudden likings , took one for Mrs. Kennedy . She thought she had never seen so charming a face . She found herself enjoying the day immensely . In fact , she forgot the Governor 's picnic and Sara Beaumont altogether . Mrs. Kennedy proved to be a delightful companion . She had travelled extensively and was an excellent raconteur .
She had seen much XXXXX men and women and crystallized her experiences into sparkling little sentences and epigrams which made Frances feel as if she were listening to one of the witty people in clever books .
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