`` Of course , '' assented Margaret dreamily . Mrs. Cunningham 's `` at home '' was of no particular interest . The guests were all middle-aged people whom the M.P. had known in his boyhood and Margaret , in her presumptuous youth , thought it would be a very prosy affair , although it had made quite a sensation in quiet little Murraybridge , where people still called an `` at home '' a party plain and simple . `` I saw Mr. Reynolds in church Sunday afternoon , '' she went on . `` He is very fine-looking , I think . Did you ever meet him ? '' `` I used to know him very well long ago , '' answered Aunt Beatrice , bowing still lower over her work . `` He used to live down in Wentworth , you know , and he visited his married sister here very often . He was only a boy at that time . Then -- he went out to British Columbia and -- and -- we never heard much more about him . '' `` He 's very rich and owns dozens of mines and railroads and things like that , '' said Margaret , `` and he 's a member of the Dominion Parliament , too . They say he 's one of the foremost men in the House and came very near getting a portfolio in the new cabinet . I like men like that . They are so interesting . Would n't it be awfully nice and complimentary to have one of them in love with you ? Is he married ? '' `` I -- I do n't know , '' said Aunt Beatrice faintly . `` I have never heard that he was . '' `` There , you 've run the needle into your finger , '' said Margaret sympathetically . `` It 's of no consequence , '' said Aunt Beatrice hastily .
She wiped away the drop of blood and XXXXX on with her work .
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