"Why, where--" She paused as though she had come upon something which did not quite please her.

As a matter of fact it had recurred to her with an unpleasant jolt that Evelyn was wearing an evening gown entirely too expensive for her present circumstances.

So were her evening coat, her scarf and all the dainty appointments which so perfectly matched the white silk frock.
Again she recalled that Ida Ward planned and made all her sister's gowns.

Even so, she must have spent considerable money on Evelyn's evening clothes.

Suppose these things were to be noticed and commented upon by the girls in the house, or by outsiders who knew nothing of the real source of Evelyn's wardrobe?
Suppose some one were ill-natured enough to say that a girl who could afford such expensive gowns ought to be able to pay her own expenses and give her place in Harlowe House to some one more needy.