"Mother, in the twentieth century—" "Are the ways of God less valid in the twentieth century than in the tenth?" In disputes with her children, Mrs. Barr always invoked God first. This failing, she took stronger measures. "Why do you always make poor God responsible for your severity, mother," said Janet. "It is not His way you want me to follow, but your own. Indeed, whenever you accuse me of disobeying the will of God, it is because I have really disobeyed your will, which you identify with God’s. I wonder whether He likes it?" "I don’t propose to discuss the Deity with you. You have studied your Bible so little that you are apparently unable to give any opinion on the subject which is not blasphemous." "As far as I know, the Bible does not prohibit dancing," said Janet, shifting the defensive attack so as to bring matters to a head. "The Bible _does_ say, however, that a child must obey its parents. I don’t wish to be harsh, Janet. I believe that you have no just ground for accusing me of severity. I say now, as I have said before, that if you must dance, you may go to the affairs that are given at the church." "Thank you!" cried Janet, ironically. "But I don’t like a Sunday School atmosphere or a Sunday School man." "I thought as much!" said Mrs. Barr, her eyes like points of steel. "You prefer to associate with unprincipled men who, having no religion, lead lives of pleasure and dance the lascivious dances of the time. "Mother, I don’t dance anything but thoroughly ancient and respectable dances. I’ve never had a chance to learn the modern steps. I dance very rarely, anyhow." "Emily _never_ dances," said her mother, cuttingly. "No, she is rather heavy and men are so lazy nowadays, and so tender about their toes." Some demon had made Janet spring up and stop reflectively in front of Emily. The latter’s podgy bulk became a size larger by contrast with Janet’s mobile slenderness. "Oblige me by not arguing," said Mrs. Barr, coming to her elder daughter’s rescue. "I tell you I won’t tolerate anyone in my house that openly flouts her mother, spends whole nights with a woman of evil reputation, and deliberately wastes the Lord’s time." In her agitation she rose halfway from her chair. But rage and lack of food had so weakened her that she sank back limply. Emily, looking unutterable things at Janet, implored her mother to be calm in tones that invited her to be just the contrary. Mrs. Barr hardly needed this spur. She sincerely believed that she was fighting the evil one for the possession of Janet’s soul. Revived by this conviction she bravely returned to her task. "See the condition to which you’ve brought me," she said, the angry tears welling up in her eyes. "What with watching and waiting and praying for you all night, and fretting about your safety—" She instinctively followed a religious appeal with a sentimental one. But her speech had so much anger mixed with the pathos, that it left Janet cold.