"Now, please, darlings, don't quarrel," their mother begged. "This is not the moment to quarrel among ourselves."
"I say, I've got rather a notion," Pamela announced. "Why shouldn't we ask the Vibart youth here and tell him where dear Cousin Jasmine is to be found? That would annoy Uncle Matthew."
"What would annoy Uncle Matthew?" asked Lettice scornfully.
"Sorry you still can't bear the thought of your beloved's treachery," said Pamela with a malicious affectation of sympathy. "But if you could calm your beating heart for the sake of the family, you'd see what I meant."
"If Pamela thinks she can say what she likes to me just because...."
"Now hush, darling. Don't lose your temper, my pet. I see what Pamela means," interposed Lady Grant soothingly.
"You always take Pamela's side."
"Now, my darling, I must entreat you not to argue so absurdly."
"I should have thought it would have been obvious to the meanest intelligence," said Pamela with lofty sarcasm.
"Oh, would you, cleversticks?" her sister sneered.