Her mouth looked like just a line of pale red--her lips were thin and not their proper shape at all.
"It's bedtime," she said.

"Ruth will put you to bed." "But you promised we should sit up late tonight because Father's come home," said Phyllis.
"Father's been called away--on business," said Mother.

"Come, darlings, go at once." They kissed her and went.

Roberta lingered to give Mother an extra hug and to whisper: "It wasn't bad news, Mammy, was it?
Is anyone dead--or--" "Nobody's dead--no," said Mother, and she almost seemed to push Roberta away.

"I can't tell you anything tonight, my pet.