“I didn’t say she was off the street,” Grace corrected her. “I’d show the girl a little mercy if I were you, and I wouldn’t make it any harder than necessary for father and mother. You’re not the only one of us who has feelings.”
“I’ll leave! The rest of you may do as you please, but I’ll not let Osgood think I don’t feel the shame of my brother’s sin.”
“If Osgood reads his Testament he may not see it in quite that light.”
Ethel breathed hard in the effort to think of some withering retort. The best she could do, however, was not especially brilliant.
“Osgood,” she announced grandly, “is a gentleman!”
“He might be that and still be a Christian,” Grace replied tartly.
“What did you say about trains, Grace,” asked Mrs. Durland, who, deep in thought, had scarcely heard the colloquy between her daughters.
“I’ll call the station and find out. And I’ll get Irene on the ’phone and tell her I won’t be at the store tomorrow. I’m going with you, mother.”
“Irene!”
Ethel caught up and flung back the name as though it were some hateful and obscene thing.