"Tea, Mr. Arkwright?"
"Thanks, no, Mrs. Severence. I'm just going. I merely looked in to—to congratulate Rita."
Madam Bowker clutched her staff. "To congratulate my granddaughter? Upon what, pray?"
Arkwright simulated a look of surprise. "Upon her engagement."
"Her WHAT?" demanded the old lady, while Roxana sat holding a lump of sugar suspended between bowl and cup.
"Her engagement to Josh Craig."
"No such thing!" declared the old lady instantly. "Really, sir, it is disgraceful that MY granddaughter's name should be associated in ANY connection with such a person."
Here Margaret entered the room by the French windows by which she had left. She advanced slowly and gracefully, amid a profound silence. Just as she reached the tea-table her grandmother said in a terrible voice: "Margaret!"
"Yes, Grandmother," responded Margaret smoothly, without looking at her.
"Mr. Arkwright here has brought in a scandalous story about your being engaged to that—that Josh person—the clerk in one of the departments. Do you know him?"