“I’ve apologized to Grace, mother,” said Ethel meekly.
“We assume, Grace,” said Mrs. Durland, “that you mean to hold fast to the ideals we’ve tried to teach you at home. We trust you, dear; you know that. You know all the dangers that a young girl’s exposed to and I believe you mean to make something fine and beautiful of your life. I expect that of both you girls.”
“I don’t like being pecked at and quizzed,” Grace replied. “I’ll attend to the bacon, Ethel; you needn’t bother about it.”
“I hope you and John had a pleasant evening,” said Mrs. Durland.
“Yes; it’s a very good picture. We all enjoyed it. Irene went with us.”
“Irene Kirby went with you and John to the picture show!” exclaimed Mrs. Durland. “I don’t believe you said Irene was going.”
“Grace naturally wouldn’t mention it,” said Ethel, lifting the lid of the coffee pot and closing it with a spiteful snap.
“Now, dear, let’s think the best we can of every one,” said Mrs. Durland. She had with difficulty persuaded Ethel to apologize to Grace for questioning her about the imaginary Miss Conwell and it seemed for an instant that her efforts to promote harmony were to fail, now that Grace had mentioned Irene.
“Oh, it happened by accident!” Grace explained. “Irene and I were lunching together at the store and John strolled in looking for me. And he was polite enough to include Irene in his invitation.”
“I’d hardly expect her to do anything as tame as going to a picture show,” said Ethel.