“That’s neither here nor there.”  She suddenly wheeled about, facing them both.  “Go and fetch the men, Ed, and then I’ll hear what she’s got to say.”

“No, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t!” cried Nora furiously.  “You drive me too far.”

“You won’t beg my pardon?” demanded Gertie threateningly.  If she wished to drive Nora beside herself, she accomplished her purpose.

“I said I could teach you manners,” she gave a hysterical laugh, “I made a mistake.  I couldn’t teach you manners, for one can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.”

“Shut up, Nora,” said her brother sharply.

“Now you must make her, Ed,” said Gertie grimly.

He replied with a despairing gesture.

“I’m sick to death of the pair of you!”

“I’m your wife, and I’m going to be mistress of this house—­my house.”

“It’s horrible to make her eat humble pie before three strange men.  You’ve no right to ask her to do a thing like that.”

“Are you taking her part?” demanded Gertie, her voice rising in fury.  “What’s come over you since she came here.  You’re not the same to me as you used to be.  Why did she come here and get between us?”

“I haven’t changed.”

“Haven’t I been a good wife to you?  Have you ever had any complaint to make of me?”

“You know perfectly well I haven’t.”

“As soon as your precious sister comes along, you let me be insulted.  You don’t say a word to defend me!”

“Darling,” said her husband with grim humor, “you’ve said a good many to defend yourself.”

But Gertie was not to be reached by humor, grim or otherwise.

“I’m sick and tired of being put upon.  You must choose between us,” she said, with an air of finality.

“What on earth do you mean?”

“If you don’t make her apologize right now before the hired men, I’m quit of you.”

“I can’t make her apologize if she won’t.”

“Then let her quit.”

“Oh, I wish I could!  I wish to God I could!” said Nora wildly.

“You know she can’t do that,” said Marsh roughly.  “There’s nowhere she can go.  I’ve offered her a home.  You were quite willing, when I suggested having her here.”

“I was willing because I thought she’d make herself useful.  We can’t afford to feed folks who don’t earn their keep.  We have to work for our money, we do.”

“I didn’t know you grudged me the little I eat,” said Nora bitterly.  “I wonder if I should begrudge it to you, if I were in your place.”

“Look here, it’s no good talking.  I’m not going to turn her out.  As long as she wants a home, the farm’s open to her.  And she’s welcome to everything I’ve got.”

“Then you choose her?” demanded Gertie.

“Choose her?  I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Easy-going as he was, he was beginning to show signs of irritation.

“I said you’d got to choose between us.  Very well, let her stay.  I earned my own living before, and I can earn it again. I’m going.”