It was the reunion with her little sister that first roused her out of her unchildlike apathy. Not the genial warmth of family affection, not the diversion of having a playmate, but the tonic of a vigorous antagonism, as unexpected as it seemed unnatural.
"Where is my room?" Val had asked, on the evening of their arrival at the Old Fort.
"You are to sleep with Emmeline," said her grandmother.
"But, grandma, I've never slept with any one."
"Haven't you, my dear?"
"No, and I've always—"
"That will do now. Go up-stairs and wash your face and hands. Emmeline will show you the way."
Val went off quietly enough, but it might have staggered Mrs. Gano could she have known the rage and rebellion that seethed in that small female heart.
It was dusk up in the little girls' room.
"Why haven't they lit the gas?" asked Val.