"But you must go," said Mrs. Iden. "Your grandfather sent a message last night; you know it's his dinner-day."
"He's such a horrid old fellow," said Amaryllis, "I can't bear him."
"How dare you speak of your grandfather like that? you are getting very rude and disrespectful."
There was no depending on Mrs. Iden. At one time she would go on and abuse Granfer Iden for an hour at a time, calling him every name she could think of, and accusing him of every folly under the sun. At another time she would solemnly inform Amaryllis that they had not a farthing of money, and how necessary it was that they should be attentive and civil to him.
Amaryllis very slowly put her hat on and the first jacket to hand.
"What! aren't you going to change your dress?"
"No, that I'm not."
"Change it directly."
"What, to go in and see that musty old——"
"Change it directly; I will be obeyed."