About midday
`` Thirty thousand a year ! Good gracious , it will seem as if he had fallen from the moon . Of course I 'll tease him half to death . '' About midday Mrs. Harrington arrived with a little party of friends ; she would not allow Mellen to escape her till she had overwhelmed him with compliments and congratulations , all of which he received with becoming resignation . When they went upstairs she said to Elsie : `` I have n't seen anything of that mysterious creature , North , in an age ; what can have become of him ? '' `` Horrid creature , '' cried Elsie , `` do n't mention his name ! Now , Mary Harrington , do n't forget for once in your life !