Margaret knelt in a soft flop of scented lingerie beside the indignant young thing.

She explained, she apologised, she begged, she implored Martha to put on that simply ravishing gown which she had worn the evening before; she expatiated at length upon the charms of the people whom she had invited to dinner, but Martha spoke not at all until she was quite ready.

Then she said explosively, "I won't." She was silent after that.

Margaret recognised the futility of further entreaties.

She went down stairs and confided in Wilbur.