She tasted one dish after another, but managed to eat but little dinner. She wished her mother to think that the scolding had made her ill.
It proved to be wasted effort. Mrs. Paxton had been so interested in what Mrs. Dayne was saying that she had not noticed that Floretta let the various courses go untasted.
She had hoped to worry her mother, but had only punished herself!
She was very hungry when they left the table, and also very angry.
"I might just as well have eaten my dinner," she muttered, "she never noticed that I didn't."
When the hour arrived that had been set for the concert, every guest was present, and all were talking and laughing gaily, and very glad that an evening's amusement had been provided.
Outside, the rain was descending in torrents, while a cold wind whistled around the corners, as if demanding admittance.
Indoors the heavy red hangings were drawn over the lace draperies, great logs blazed in the fireplaces, while over all softly shaded lights gave an air of cozy comfort that made one feel sheltered and safe from the storm.
A group of ladies sat chatting together, and one, a recent arrival, was saying that she had understood that children were not permitted as guests at the Cleverton.
"There are only a few children here," Mrs. Vinton said, "and some of them are charming."