“Shirley, go to your room,” ordered Mr. Willing. “I am your father and I will be obeyed.”
Shirley glanced at her father’s stern face, and obeyed. She knew that when he looked like that he was not to be trifled with.
“Mabel, you go with her,” said Colonel Ashton quietly.
Mabel hesitated.
“Do you hear me?” asked the colonel.
Mabel also realized that she had gone too far. She made her way after Shirley.
Inside their room the girls did not speak to each other. In the heart of each there was a peculiar feeling, and each knew that, in a measure, she was to blame. But neither was ready to give in yet.
It was their first quarrel.
Outside Mr. Willing turned to young Bristow.
“This,” he said, “is your doing. And when you once set foot outside this cabin, don’t you ever cross my path again.”