She also noticed that Granville presently said "wa'n't" instead of "wasn't." "Hot yesterday, wa'n't it ?" said he.
"Yes, it was very warm," replied Ellen.

That "wa'n't" seemed to insert a tiny wedge between them.

She would have flown at any one who had found fault with her father and mother for saying "wa'n't," but with this young man in her own rank and day it was different.

It argued something in him, or a lack of something.

An indignation all out of proportion to the offence seized her.