The Aristocratic Miss Brewster by Joseph C. Lincoln

Mr. Hall's estimate of the gentleman from Denver was not in accord with that of the majority of Wapatomac's population. During that week and those immediately following the village either made or renewed acquaintance with him and the almost universal opinion was that he was a "fine man." The aristocratic section, the Bradleys and the Freemans and their sort, were favorably inclined toward him from the beginning. He was a Brewster and, therefore, by heredity and early training, should be all right. It is true that Brewsters were sometimes eccentric--witness Mary's absurd bookkeeping venture--and it was also true that he had spent many years far from the chastening influence of his native town. But unless, or until, time proved him to be unworthy, they were glad to welcome him back among them for the sake of the family name. And as they came to know him they liked and admired him for his own sake. He was always so polite and agreeable. The punctilious manner in which he returned calls made upon him, returned them neither too soon nor too late, was gratifying. He was a charming table companion. Mrs. Bradley and Elvira invited him and his sister to dinner and, after the guests had departed, Elvira expressed her feeling concerning him, a feeling with which her mother agreed heartily.

-"I declare, mother!" sighed Miss Bradley. "I feel as if I had been listening to the most wonderful lecture I ever heard in my life. Yes, and a lot of lectures on all sorts of subjects. He knows SO much about literature and pictures and--oh, everything! And the way he talks about them! I could listen forever. The only thing is he makes me feel so ignorant. Oh, mother, why can't WE go to Europe? Other people do. You used to go, of course--on father's ship when you were first married--but I have never been anywhere but to Niagara Falls."