"What does this mean?" Mrs. Baldwin asked shortly, fire in her eyes.
"Mother, we told you we could not go to any more parties, and why," Cora answered, a note of pleading in her voice.
"We begin teaching on Monday in Miss Browne's school," added Dora more stoutly. "We have tried your way for years and years, mother. Now we have to try ours."
Mrs. Baldwin's lace bertha rose and fell sharply.
"Indeed. I am sorry to disappoint you, but so long as you live under my roof, you will have to conform to the ways of my household."
"Then, mother, we can not stay under your roof."
"As you please! I leave the choice entirely to you." She swept out, leaving them breathless but resolute.
"I am glad of it!" said Dora with trembling lips.
In explaining their absence at dinner, Mrs. Baldwin was lightly humorous about the twins' devotion: one could not weather a headache without the other. Mr. White and Mr. Morton exchanged glances, and showed interest in the topic, as if they were on the track of some new sociological fact.
Later in the evening, the twins, their spirits restored, stole to the top of the stairs and peered down at the whirling couples, exultant not to be among them. Mr. White was standing just below, and he glanced up, as if he might have been listening. His face brightened.