We looked at her as we drew near with such interest that we forgot to feel shy.  No, she was not pretty.  She was tall for her fourteen years, slim and straight; around her long, white face—­rather too long and too white—­fell sleek, dark-brown curls, tied above either ear with rosettes of scarlet ribbon.  Her large, curving mouth was as red as a poppy, and she had brilliant, almond-shaped, hazel eyes; but we did not think her pretty.

Then she spoke; she said,

“Good morning.”

Never had we heard a voice like hers.  Never, in all my life since, have I heard such a voice.  I cannot describe it.  I might say it was clear; I might say it was sweet; I might say it was vibrant and far-reaching and bell-like; all this would be true, but it would give you no real idea of the peculiar quality which made the Story Girl’s voice what it was.

If voices had colour, hers would have been like a rainbow.  It made words live.  Whatever she said became a breathing entity, not a mere verbal statement or utterance.  Felix and I were too young to understand or analyze the impression it made upon us; but we instantly felt at her greeting that it was a good morning—­a surpassingly good morning —­ the very best morning that had ever happened in this most excellent of worlds.

“You are Felix and Beverley,” she went on, shaking our hands with an air of frank comradeship, which was very different from the shy, feminine advances of Felicity and Cecily.  From that moment we were as good friends as if we had known each other for a hundred years.  “I am glad to see you.  I was so disappointed I couldn’t go over last night.  I got up early this morning, though, for I felt sure you would be up early, too, and that you’d like to have me tell you about things.  I can tell things so much better than Felicity or Cecily.  Do you think Felicity is very pretty?”

“She’s the prettiest girl I ever saw,” I said enthusiastically, remembering that Felicity had called me handsome.

“The boys all think so,” said the Story Girl, not, I fancied, quite well pleased.  “And I suppose she is.  She is a splendid cook, too, though she is only twelve.  I can’t cook.  I am trying to learn, but I don’t make much progress.  Aunt Olivia says I haven’t enough natural gumption ever to be a cook; but I’d love to be able to make as good cakes and pies as Felicity can make.  But then, Felicity is stupid.  It’s not ill-natured of me to say that.  It’s just the truth, and you’d soon find it out for yourselves.  I like Felicity very well, but she is stupid.  Cecily is ever so much cleverer.  Cecily’s a dear.  So is Uncle Alec; and Aunt Janet is pretty nice, too.”

“What is Aunt Olivia like?” asked Felix.

“Aunt Olivia is very pretty.  She is just like a pansy—­all velvety and purply and goldy.”

Felix and I saw, somewhere inside of our heads, a velvet and purple and gold pansy-woman, just as the Story Girl spoke.