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Bett and Lulu and Cornish and Monona supped alone. All were at ease, now that they were alone. Especially Mrs. Bett was at ease. It became one of her young nights, her alive and lucid nights. She was there. She sat in Dwight's chair and Lulu sat in Ina's chair. Lulu had picked flowers for the table a task coveted by her but usually performed by Ina.
So Lulu did all the work. As for Di and Bobby, they had taken the pail and gone for water, discouraging Monona from accompanying them, discouraging her to the point of tears. But the two were gone for so long that on their return Dwight was hungry and cross and majestic. "Those who disregard the comfort of other people," he enunciated, "can not expect consideration for themselves in the future."
Dwight swung a leg over the railing. Monona sat pulling her skirt over her feet, and humming all on one note. There was no moon, but the warm dusk had a quality of transparency as if it were lit in all its particles. The gate opened, and some one came up the walk. They looked, and it was Lulu. "Well, if it ain't Miss Lulu Bett!" Dwight cried involuntarily, and Ina cried out something.
"And now," said Dwight, "nobody must mind if I hurry a little wee bit. I've got something on." He and Ina and Monona were at dinner. Mrs. Bett was in her room. Di was not there. "Anything about Lulu?" Ina asked. "Lulu?" Dwight stared. "Why should I have anything to do about Lulu?" "Well, but, Dwight we've got to do something." "As I told you this morning," he observed, "we shall do nothing.
"That shows who you dress for!" he cried. "You dress for me; Ina, aren't you jealous? Lulu dresses for me!" Ina had come in with Di, and both were excited, and Ina's head was moving stiffly, as in all her indignations. Mrs. Bett had thought better of it and had given her presence. Already Monona was singing. "Lulu," said Dwight, "really? Can't you run up and slip on another dress?"
She spoke as if he were about the age of Monona. Ninian refused, insisted on his refusal. A few years more, and human relationships would have spread sanity even to Ina's estate and she would have told him why he should exchange chairs. As it was she forbore, and kept glancing anxiously at the over-burdened little beast beneath him. The child Monona entered the room.
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