"The finest little lady I ever knew," said she. "An aristocrat to the very tip of her fingers. And your grandfather Duval was another. Ever so far back, their people were Huguenots. Although they lost their estates, and their descendants were never particularly prosperous in business, they were always refined, educated people. Your father met your mother when she was visiting in Philadelphia. It was a case of love at first sight and your mother's hostess, a very sentimental woman she was, my dear, rather helped the matter along. They were married inside of three weeks; and you were born a year later in your grandmother's house in Philadelphia. She died very shortly after that and some business opening took your father to Jackson, Michigan. I believe he and your mother settled there. Her own people had not forgiven her hasty marriage; but I assure you, my dear, your young cousins have no reason to be ashamed of you. Your blood is _quite_ as good as theirs." Her tone implied that it was _better_. "That's enough past history, granny," said Allen. "I want to show her my stamp collection, my coins, my printing press, and my wireless station on the roof." Jeanne thoroughly enjoyed the noon meal--she hadn't supposed that nice persons _could_ be so jolly and informal at the table. The ride through the park, too, was delightful. "It's lovely," she said, "to have this nice ride. The wind is blowing all the whirligigs out of my head." "I suppose you had lots of rides in the Huntingtons' new car--Allen says they have one." "Not so very many. It was always closed to keep the dust out and Aunt Agatha liked to sit alone on the back seat. Sometimes she took Pearl or Clara. Never more than one at a time. She said it looked common to fill the car up with children. But once in a while, when I had to go to the dentist or have something tried on, I had a chance to ride." "Is there anything you'd especially like to see?" asked Allen. "Yes," said Jeanne, promptly. "I'd like a good look at Lake Michigan." "That's easy," said Allen. "You shall have _two_ looks." But when they reached a point from which Lake Michigan was plainly visible, Jeanne was disappointed. "Are you sure," she asked, "that that's it?" "Why, yes," smiled Mrs. Rossiter. "What's wrong with it?" "I thought," said Jeanne, "that all lakes were blue. This one is brown." "It _is_ brown, today," said Mrs. Rossiter. "Sometimes it has more color; but never that intense blue that you have up north. We once took a lake trip on one of the big steamers and I saw your blue lake then." "Oh, this is a _nice_ lake," said Jeanne, anxious to be polite, "but, of course, I'm more used to my own." The Rossiters liked their visitor and urged her to remain longer; but Jeanne very firmly declined. "I'd love to," she said. "And I would, if I were going _away_ from home. But I'm just counting the minutes. It would be just like Patsy to grow another _inch_ while I'm on the train tonight."