In amazement Sue fell back a step. "Mother!" she cried. Then turned abruptly, and went out into the Close.
Mrs. Milo stood up, on her face conscious guilt for her suspicion and her lack of charity. But she was appalled—almost stunned. Never in all her life before had her daughter left her in such a way. "I declare!" burst forth the elder woman. "I declare!" Then following Sue a few steps, and calling after her through the open door, "Well, what fills that basket out there? And what fills our Orphanage?" And more weakly, but still in an effort to justify herself, "What—what other reason can you suggest, I'd like to know! And—and it's just plain, common sense!" She came back to stand alone, staring before her. Then she sank to a chair.
Wallace returned. "Where's Sue, mother?" he asked.
"What?—Oh, it's you, darling? She—she stepped out."
"Out?"
"Into the Close."
"Oh." He hurried across the room.
Mrs. Milo fluttered to her feet. "I—I can't have that choir in the library any longer," she declared decisively. And left the room.
Sue entered in answer to her brother's call, and came straight to him.
She had forgotten her anger by now; her look was anxious.
"Sue, let's go ahead with the rehearsal," he begged.