No, be modest.

"Well," Rebecca says lightly. "It's quite a change! A remarkable work. Where was it made?"

"Italy," Mr. Twilwell says, falling in beside her as she moves away from it. "Here, let me show you the rest of the grounds..."

The remainder of the tour has no more surprises; as he said, Mr. Twilwell has not made many surprising or unusual changes to the grounds. Rebecca makes appreciative noises throughout, and Twilwell proves a jocular and entertaining companion. She's even starting to like him a bit, as they return to the front stairs.

As they're returning to the front of the house, the couple are brought up short by a shrill voice: "My goodness! Miss Foxhaven! I never would have expected to see you here." Rebecca has to resist scowling when she sees two familiar faces standing at the bottom of the front stairs: a rotund woman wearing more jewelry than is really tasteful, and a rail-thin, emaciated looking man in somber clothing.

"Mrs. Wagaton. Mr. Wagaton. Good afternoon," she says coolly. "Mr. Twilwell, may I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Wagaton. Mr. Wagaton owns a number of businesses in town."

"The finest businesses in town!" Mrs. Wagaton declares, stomping her way toward them. Twilwell looks rather taken aback by this forward couple who have deposited themselves (quite literally) on his doorstep. "We do import-export, ironmongery, and a bit of lending, sir. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." She holds out her hand, which Twilwell (gentleman that he is) takes and gives a gentle, formal kiss. She continues: "But I am surprised to see you here, Miss Foxhaven! We'd thought to be the first to call upon our new neighbor Mr. Twilwell. You are he, I presume?" she asks suddenly, narrowing her eyes as thought suspicious that Twilwell might be an exceptionally well-dressed intruder.

"Ah - yes, I'm he," Twilwell says with bemusement. Mr. Wagaton, having followed his wife more sedately up the stairs, gives a stiff bow and holds his hand out to Mr. Twilwell, who shakes it hesitantly.

"Delighted to meet you, sir," Mrs. Wagaton continues. "We have so much to discuss with you! But Miss Foxhaven - are you a relation of Mr. Twilwell's?"

"No, ma'am, I'm not," Rebecca says dismissively. "I just wished to welcome our new neighbor to the county." She smiles at Twilwell.

"Hm!" Mrs. Wagaton's eyes dart back and forth between Rebecca and Mr. Twilwell. "Well, I'm most put out not to be the first to welcome you, sir. Still, I suppose it can't be helped. The Foxhavens are fine girls."

"Ah, yes - you mentioned you had sisters," Twilwell says, politely turning the conversation back to Rebecca.

"Indeed. Four of them, so you can imagine the distraction," Rebecca says. Turning to Mr. Twilwell, she drops him a brief curtsey. "I should, in fact, probably be getting back to them now. I hope that I will see you again, sir."

He returns her a bow and a slight smile. "I'm sure we will meet again, Miss Foxhaven. Thank you very much for welcoming me to the neighborhood."

As Rebecca mounts her trap and the driver pulls away, she can hear the Wagatons (mostly Mrs. Wagaton) beginning to talk Mr. Twilwell's ear off again, no doubt hoping to get him to join them in one of their various questionable business ventures. She frowns, restlessly toying with her handkerchief as she rides. Did she make a good impression on the man? She's not entirely sure. Well, at least it was an introduction...

***

Back at Wimbly Place, Alice flounces into the sitting room.

"I'm boooooooooored," she declares to no one in particular. Looking around, she sees that her mother and Esther are sitting here, Esther reading, and her mother - Mary Foxhaven - working on some needlepoint. "Mama, may I go into town to shop for some ribbons?"

Mary Foxhaven is a thin, nervous woman, and she looks startled by the very question. "Oh - well - I suppose you may, dear. But do take one of your sisters with you, will you?"

"Not I," Esther says hurriedly. "I wish to finish my reading."

Alice rolls her eyes. "As though I'd ask you," she says derisively. "You're such a bore. Don't worry, mama. I'll ask..."