"I never went into Squire Merritt's house in my life," said she.
"I guess there ain't anything there to bite you," said her mother.
"I'm goin' to say all I can to have your brother go; but if he won't, you can put on your new dress an' go without him." However, Mrs.
Edwards privately resolved to use as an argument to Jerome, in case he refused to attend the party, the fact that his sister would not go without him.
She used it now.

Mrs.Edwards's military tactics were those of direct onslaught, and no saving of powder.

"Elmira's afraid to go unless you do," said she.

"You'll be keepin' her home, an' she ain't had a chance to go to many parties, poor child!" Jerome met Elmira's beseeching eyes and frowned aside, blushing like a girl.

"Well, I don't know," said he; "I'll see." That was the provincial form of masculine concession to feminine importunity.