"Of course, if you have money to throw away on such lessons, there is no reason why you should not indulge her whim," said Hannah coldly.
Mrs. Tracy flushed. The words stung her, coming as they did from the one who contributed most largely to the support of the household. But ere she could defend herself against the insinuation they conveyed, the door opened, and Juliet walked into the room.
Mrs. Tracy made a quick movement, which expressed to her elder daughters her wish that no more should be said on the subject at present. But Juliet saw the signal, and she noted, too, her mother's flushed face and the excited air worn by all three. Little escaped the keen observation of that young lady. She felt sure that she had been under discussion when her entrance broke off the conversation.
"Dear me! How very warm you all look!" she remarked with the utmost sang-froid. "What agitating topic has excited you so? You should really, from sanitary considerations, avoid such discussions when the thermometer stands at eighty degrees in the shade. I am not surprised at you, mother darling; but I do wonder to find Hannah and Salome showing so little good sense."
"I suppose you think that is clever," said Salome, who could never endure Juliet's raillery.
"Oh, very; do not you?" said Juliet, with superb indifference in the glance of her violet eyes.
Salome turned away discomfited. She was not quick at repartee, and she knew that Juliet always got the better of her in a battle of words.
Juliet carried a large fan open in her hand. She now drew her mother's form back more comfortably into her chair and began to fan her. Hannah cast an expressive glance at Salome, and quitted the room Salome soon followed, wishing doubtless to talk over the situation with her sister.
"Well, mother," said Juliet, when they were alone, "what are the latest tactics of the enemy?"
"You should not speak of your sisters so, Juliet. They are not your enemies."