She knew she was fibbing, but something must be done to check this new form of independence--and then, now that Garry couldn't come, she really needed him.

"You don't want to come, that's it--" She facing him now, her little nose high in the air, her cheeks flaming with anger.
"You must not say that, Corinne," he answered in a slightly indignant tone.
Corinne drew herself up to her full height--toes included; not very high, but all she could do--and said in a voice pitched to a high key, her finger within a few inches of his nose: "It's true, and I will say it!" The rustle of silk was heard overhead, and a plump, tightly laced woman in voluminous furs, her head crowned by a picture hat piled high with plumes, was making her way down the stairs.

Jack looked up and waved his hand to his aunt, and then stood at mock attention, like a corporal on guard, one hand raised to salute her as she passed.

The boy, with the thought of Peter coming, was very happy this afternoon.
"What are you two quarrelling about ?" came the voice.

Rather a soft voice with a thread of laziness running through it.
"Jack's too mean for anything, mother.