Henriette had not failed to notice the signs of the times, and she annoyed Algitha beyond endurance by her obviously sisterly manner of addressing the family. She had taken to calling the boys by their first names.
Fred shared his sister’s dislike to Henriette. “Tact!” he cried with a snort, “why a Temperley rushes in where a bull in a china-shop would fear to tread!”
Algitha saw that Hubert was again by Hadria’s side before the evening was out. The latter looked white, and she avoided her sister’s glance. This last symptom seemed to Algitha the worst.
“What’s the matter with Hadria?” asked Fred, “she will scarcely speak to me. I was just telling her the best joke I’ve heard this year, and, will you believe me, she didn’t see the point! Yes, you may well stare! I tried again and she gave a nervous giggle; I am relating to you the exact truth. Do any of the epidemics come on like that?”
“Yes, one of the worst,” said Algitha gloomily. Fred glared enquiry.
“I am afraid she has been led into accepting Hubert Temperley.”
Fred opened his mouth and breathed deep. “Stuff! Hadria would as soon think of selling her soul to the devil.”
“Oh, she is quite capable of that too,” said Algitha, shaking her head.
“Well, I’m blowed,” cried Fred.
Not long after this, the guests began to disperse. Mrs. Gordon and her party were among the last to leave, having a shorter distance to go.