It is freezing cold, too.

If I go I must go without his knowledge and consent." "I am going without my father's," said Madelon, shortly, "and I go at a greater cost than that, too." "It's the second time I have deceived and disobeyed my father in a week's time," Dorothy said.
"You talk about your father when it is Burr--Burr--that's at stake!" Madelon cried out.

"What is your father to Burr if you love him?
That ought to go before anything else.

It says so in your Bible--it says so in your Bible, Dorothy Fair!" Dorothy, with her innocent, frightened eyes fixed upon the other girl's passionate face, as if she were being led by her into unknown paths, put back the coverlet and thrust one little white foot out of bed.

Then swiftly the black woman, who had entered the room, backed against the door as stiffly as a sentinel, darted forward, and would have thrust her mistress into bed again, making uncouth protests the while, had not Dorothy motioned her away with a gentle dignity, which was hers for use when she chose.
"Go down-stairs, if you please," said she, "and see if my father is in his study.