“Laura is putting on her ‘grand manner,’ ” she lamented. “I just know how she’s talking. The man will hate the very sound of her name all the rest of his life.” Then all at once she uttered a joyful exclamation: “At last, at last,” she cried, “and about time, too!”

The Cresslers and the rest of the party⁠—two young men⁠—had appeared, and Page and her aunt came up just in time to hear Mrs. Cressler⁠—a fine old lady, in a wonderful ermine-trimmed cape, whose hair was powdered⁠—exclaim at the top of her voice, as if the mere declaration of fact was final, absolutely the last word upon the subject, “The bridge was turned!”

The Cresslers lived on the North Side. The incident seemed to be closed with the abruptness of a slammed door.