"But she only gave you half the money for the ring. I heard her say—"
"Jane, get those slippers at once."
"I'm going. But Mrs. Bremner said—"
Mrs. Coombe's hand came down with stinging force upon the child's ear.
"Will you obey me—or will you not?"
Jane retired wailing and her mother sank back into her veranda chair, red spots burning through the powder on her cheeks.
Esther sat very still for a moment, and then, without looking at the other, she asked in a low voice:
"What did she mean?"
"How should I know?" fretfully.
"What ring did Mrs. Bremner give you money for? Did—you have to sell one of your rings?"