"Is anything the matter? You haven't swallowed a sour plum, Emily, have you?" she asked, facing them both.
"Janet," said Mrs. Barr, in a tone that would have frozen quicksilver, "I wish to speak to you for a minute."
"What have I done now?" asked Janet, sitting down and looking speculatively from her mother to her sister.
"By mistake Emily opened a letter addressed to you. Laura had put it beside her plate."
"Is that why you're so glum, Emily? How silly. Don't give, the matter another thought, please."
Emily looked very uncomfortable.
"It's from Cornelia Covert," she said, averting her eyes from Janet's, and the mother added with asperity:
"It invites you to mingle with certain persons who call themselves Outlaws."
"Really? You and Emily have the advantage of me. I haven't read the letter yet. May I?"
Emily silently relinquished the missive and Janet calmly read it, while the others looked on, keeping their vexation warm. Mrs. Barr spoke as soon as Janet had finished.