"
The two left the room, the old lady leaning heavily on her
granddaughter and wielding her ebony staff as if getting her arm
limbered to use it. In the hall, she said fiercely, "To your
room," and waved her staff toward the stairway.
Margaret hesitated, shrugged her shoulders. She preceding, and
Madam Bowker ascending statelily afterward, they went up and were
presently alone in Margaret's pretty rose and gold boudoir, with
the outer door closed.
"Now!" exclaimed Madam Bowker.
"Not so loud, please," suggested the tranquil Margaret, "unless
you wish Selina to hear." She pointed to the door ajar. "She's
sewing in there."
"Send the woman away," commanded the old lady.
But Margaret merely closed the door. "Well, Grandmother?"
"Sit at this desk," ordered the old lady, pointing with the ebony
staff, "and write a note to that man Craig, breaking the
engagement. Say you have thought it over and have decided it is
quite impossible. And to-morrow morning you go to New York with
me."
Margaret seated herself on the lounge instead. "I'll do neither,"
said she.
The old lady waved the end of her staff in a gesture of lofty
disdain. "As you please.
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