Elma went without a word. Her mother was in, and so was Carrie.
"Mother," said Elma, "Aunt Charlotte wants to see you."
"Why, my dear Elma, what is the matter? How queer you look!"
"Don't mind about me, mother, pray; the expression of my face is not worth considering. Aunt Charlotte is waiting for you in the dining-room."
Mrs. Lewis gave a profound sigh.
"How very unreasonable of Charlotte!" she said; "she will doubtless be expecting more tea and cream and fresh eggs, and other impossibilities."
"Oh, go mother, and stop talking," said Elma.
Mrs. Lewis dragged herself up from the sofa on which she was reclining.
"I really don't know what the world is coming to," she said. "Even my own children are turning out quite disagreeable to me. Dear! dear! what it is to be a mother! How little those who are fortunate in not possessing children understand the burden!"
She went, downstairs slowly, and Elma turned to Carrie.