"But she's in an awful mood, I can tell you," said Stanton, dubiously.
"I never knew a woman to look and speak as she did to-night. If
you don't manage better she'll make us trouble yet."
"Oh, I'm used to Ida's tantrums. They don't last. Nothing does
with her. Time and another admirer will bring her around."
"Well, you ought to know," said Stanton with a shrug; "but I retire
from the management. I can't help saying, however, that something
in her looks and words makes me uneasy. I regret exceedingly I
spoke as I did, and shall apologize at the first opportunity."
"You'll have that in the morning. Things are so much better than
I feared that I am greatly relieved. She'll come around now if
nothing more is said. Roiled water always settles when kept quiet;"
and Mrs. Mayhew returned to the parlor in much better spirits.
Stanton followed his aunt and joined a small group that had gathered
around Miss Burton. Van Berg gave him a quick, questioning look,
but gathered the impression only that he had been subjected to a
very painful interview.
"She has evidently realized his worst fears," he thought; "curses
on her!" and his face grew fairly black for a moment with anger
and disgust.
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