"If she gave less thought to the pomps and vanities of the world, Emily, she could have declined, as you did. But you should not have promoted her deceit. See what comes from walking in the ways of ungodly people. Janet hobnobs with unbelievers, you are deprived of a sister’s companionship, and I must give up an important meeting at the church. That is how the flesh and the devil waste the Lord’s time. I pray God to help me bear with the weaknesses of your father and the sinfulness of his daughters." Laura, the maid, came in just then and was despatched with an urgent summons for Miss Janet. Mrs. Barr’s resources of anger were so considerable that when one member of the family displeased her, everyone else received a share of the overflow of her wrath. The weaker the member the more generous the share. Mr. Barr, by all odds the weakest member of the family of which he was the Biblical head, usually bore the brunt of every domestic storm. But he was in the fairly safe haven of his own room on the top floor. In his absence Emily almost regretted the part she had just played. Being the only available victim for the moment, she had to act as lightning conductor, much against her will. The maid had not gone very far in her quest of Janet before that young lady herself burst somewhat incontinently into the sitting room. Her slender mobile body with the lustrous black hair and the gray eyes full of life and intelligence, made her a striking contrast to her two inflexible relations. "Good morning, children," she cried, without paying the atmosphere any special attention. "How’s this for the role of the early bird? Spare your praises, Emily. It’s papa’s doing. He’s getting up now. And I suppose he’s anxious to advertise the unearthly hour." The two petrified figures quite chilled her prattling. "Is anything the matter? You haven’t swallowed a sour plum, Emily, have you?" she asked, facing them both. "Janet," said Mrs. Barr, in a tone that would have frozen quicksilver, "I wish to speak to you for a minute." "What have I done now?" asked Janet, sitting down and looking speculatively from her mother to her sister. "By mistake Emily opened a letter addressed to you. Laura had put it beside her plate." "Is that why you’re so glum, Emily? How silly. Don’t give, the matter another thought, please." Emily looked very uncomfortable. "It’s from Cornelia Covert," she said, averting her eyes from Janet’s, and the mother added with asperity: "It invites you to mingle with certain persons who call themselves Outlaws." "Really? You and Emily have the advantage of me. I haven’t read the letter yet. May I?" Emily silently relinquished the missive and Janet calmly read it, while the others looked on, keeping their vexation warm. Mrs. Barr spoke as soon as Janet had finished. "Yes, I _have_ read the letter," she declared with emphasis.