Eliza nodded energetically.
“It was foolish to start so late,” said Susan, with a calm air of wisdom only a shade less exasperating than Imogen's.
“And you always encourage Benny so in being lazy,” said Eliza.
Then the Reverend Silas joined in. “You should have more sense of responsibility toward your brother, your only brother, Annie,” he said, in his deep pulpit voice.
“It was after two o'clock when you went out,” said Imogen.
“And all you had to do was the dinner-dishes, and there were very few to-day,” said Jane.
Then Annie turned with a quick, cat-like motion. Her eyes blazed under her brown toss of hair. She gesticulated with her little, nervous hands. Her voice was as sweet and intense as a reed, and withal piercing with anger.
“It was not half past one when I went out,” said she, “and there was a whole sinkful of dishes.”
“It was after two. I looked at the clock,” said Imogen.
“It was not.”