"Why!" exclaimed Jennie as she grudgingly shook hands with her step-mother when Margaret returned with her to the sitting-room. "You here! We saw Danny downtown just now and he said he gave you money to get home."
"Yes," added Sadie, also shaking hands reluctantly, "we didn't look to see you here. Anyhow Danny thought you went to the depot from his office."
"But," smiled Margaret, "she gave me the pleasant surprise of a call. I am so glad, because I wanted so much to know her, my husband's mother and the babies' grandmother! How pretty your flowers look, Sadie!" she added diplomatically and quite insincerely, for she groaned inwardly at the bunch of little artificial roses Sadie girlishly wore on the lapel of her coat.
"What is this to do?" Jennie suddenly demanded as her eyes fell upon the tea-table.
"We've been having tea and toast."
"Well!" breathed Sadie.
"Upon my word!" exclaimed Jennie. "You stopped Emmy in her Sa'urday's work to make tea and toast in the middle of the afternoon yet!"
"It took her just fifteen minutes."
"She ain't ever to be hindered in her Sa'urday's work! She has a cake to bake for Sunday then!"
"But you know," said Margaret patiently, "you stopped her on wash day to make tea for Mrs. Ocksreider."