Julia had been wishing that somebody would speak.

Her mother's sulky speechlessness was worse than her scolding, and Julia had even wished her to resume her storming.

But the silence was broken by Cynthy Ann, who came into the hall and called, "Jule, I wish you would go to the barn and gether the eggs; I want to make some cake." Every evening of her life Julia gathered the eggs, and there was nothing uncommon in Cynthy Ann's making cake, so that nothing could be more innocent than this request.

Julia sat opposite the front-door, her mother sat farther along.

Julia could see the face of Cynthy Ann.