"Sister, you must be the one to speak," said Miss Joanna to Miss Middleton, "and I will help you when it is necessary." And neither of her hearers doubted that she would.
It was difficult to open the subject; for Mrs. Hoyt, filled with trepidation at being caught unawares by her stately neighbors, talked with nervous haste. The parlor was in sad confusion, having lately been the scene of a bear-fight, carried on by several of her boys. She herself had not yet dressed for the afternoon, and she was wondering if the Misses Middleton would discover the fact. Fortunately her gingham gown was well made and clean; still, it was a gingham, and it was afternoon, and Mrs. Hoyt had lived long enough in Alden to know Alden ideas.
But the Misses Middleton did not notice. They were trying to find a means of stemming the tide of Mrs. Hoyt's conversation.
"We have come on a matter of importance," said Miss Middleton at last. "I think, Joanna, we may call it important?" looking at her sister.
"Very important," said she, with emphasis.
"Very important," echoed Miss Thomasine, more mildly, plucking nervously at the folds of her camel's-hair shawl.
"Indeed!" said Mrs. Hoyt. "Is there anything I can do for you? You seem troubled about something. I hope nothing has happened?"
There was a slight noise at the back of the room at this juncture, and Miss Middleton, who was about to speak, stopped abruptly.
"It is only Arthur, probably," said his mother. "Arthur dear, come speak to the Miss Middletons."
But no Arthur was forth-coming, so Miss Middleton began again.