They could all do that, but Bertie seemed annoyed that they should be kept waiting. "You might have had it ready," he said, "I expect you're tired, Jo." "Oh, not so terrible, thanks," said Joanna, who felt sorry for her future mother-in-law being asked to keep tea stewing in the pot against the uncertain arrival of travellers. But, as it happened, she did feel rather tired, and was glad when the door was suddenly kicked open and a large tea-tray was brought in and set down violently on a side table. "Cream _and_ sugar?" said Mrs. Hill nervously. "Yes, thank you," said Joanna. She felt a little disconcerted by this new household of which she found herself a member. She wondered what Bertie's mother and sister thought of his middle-aged bride. For a time they all sat round in silence. Joanna covertly surveyed the drawing-room. It was not unlike the parlour at Ansdore, but everything looked cheaper--they couldn't have given more than ten pound for their carpet, and she knew those fire-irons--six and eleven-three the set at the ironmongers. These valuations helped to restore her self-confidence and support the inspection which Agatha was conducting on her side. "Reckon the price of my clothes ud buy everything in this room," she thought to herself. "Did you have a comfortable journey, Miss Godden?" asked Mrs. Hill. "You needn't call her Miss Godden, ma," said Albert, "she's going to be one of the family." "I had a fine journey," said Joanna, drowning Mrs. Hill's apologetic twitter, "the train came the whole of sixty miles with only one stop." Agatha giggled, and Bertie stabbed her with a furious glance. "Did you make this tea?" he asked. "No--She made it." "I might have thought as much. That girl can't make tea any better than the cat. You reelly might make it yourself when we have visitors." "I hadn't time. I've only just come in." "You seem to be out a great deal." "I've my living to get." Joanna played with her teaspoon. She felt ill at ease, though it would be difficult to say why. She had quarrelled too often with Ellen to be surprised at any family disagreements--it was not ten years since she had thought nothing of smacking Ellen before a disconcerted public. What was there different--and there was something different--about this wrangle between a brother and sister, that it should upset her so--upset her so much that for some unaccountable reason she should feel the tears running out of her eyes.