"Then--then what about telephoning!"
"She never telephoned at all," said Elma.
Mrs. Leighton would willingly have had that unsaid.
"It is dreadful to think that any one would take the trouble to do such a thing for the sake of going to the Dudgeons," she said. "Are you sure you are not mistaken?"
"Oh, Miss Meredith is happy for a week if she can squeeze in an excuse for going to the Dudgeons," replied Elma. "The Dudgeons are such 'high steppers,' you know."
"I don't like it," said Mrs. Leighton, "I really don't. None of you were brought up to go your own way like that, and I don't admire it in other people."
"Isobel believes in grabbing for everything one wants with both hands. She doesn't mean to do anything wicked. She simply means to be on the spot," said Elma.
"But what about loyalty, and friendship, and--and honour?" said poor Mrs. Leighton.
"Oh, when you are grabbing with both hands for other things you haven't time for these."
"My precious child! What in the wide world are you saying!" Mrs. Leighton was quite horrified.