John Hunter ignored his wife’s signal for tender relations and shook off her hand impatiently without looking at her.
“Even if Jack were well I wouldn’t go away and leave mother alone all day.” John moved restlessly away from her.
Elizabeth would not give up.
“I’ll manage mother. She’ll go if I insist.” John was edging toward the door. “Anyhow I told Aunt Susan I’d come.” John was going through the door. “Please hurry. We must be on our way pretty soon,” she called after his receding back.
Elizabeth’s lips tightened with vexation at the contempt shown by his refusal to answer, and then loosened and spread into an amused smile.
“He can be just as mad as he wants to. I stuck to it and am going to get to go. It’s better than to give up to him all the time.”
She turned into the sitting room and putting the baby on the floor emptied the clothespin bag in his lap to keep him occupied, and flew up the stairs to Mrs. Hunter’s room.
“Mother, we’re going to Aunt Susan’s to-day and you are to go with us. Now don’t say you aren’t, for it is settled,” she said, slipping her hand over the older woman’s mouth to prevent the objection she saw coming, but nothing she would do or say would persuade the older woman to go.
“I’ll settle that with John when he comes in,” Mrs. Hunter said, slipping away from the restraining hand. “There’s no reason why you should stay at home on my account and I will not have it done,” was all that she could get out of her.
“But John will not go without you!” Elizabeth cried in dismay.