“I will not go down tonight,” she cried. “You and Aunt Wess’ must make out to receive Mr. Jadwin. I simply will not see anyone tonight, Mr. Jadwin least of all. Tell him I’m gone to bed sick⁠—which is the truth, I am going to bed, my head is splitting.”

All persuasion, entreaty, or cajolery availed nothing. Neither Page nor Aunt Wess’ could shake her decision. At last Page hazarded a remonstrance to the effect that if she had known that Laura was not going to be at dinner she would not have taken such pains with her own toilet.

Promptly thereat Laura lost her temper.