Chapter 12

           AfewminuteslaterJillreportedtoJubal’sstudy.Annewasthere,seatedandenvelopedinthelongwhiterobeofherguild;sheglancedatJill,saidnothing.Jillfoundachairandkeptquiet,asJubalwasathisdeskanddictatingtoDorcas;hedidnotappeartonoticeJill’sarrivalandwentondictating:

           "-fromunderthesprawledbody,soakingonecorneroftherugandseepingoutbeyonditinaspreadingdarkredpoolonthetiledhearth,whereitwasattractingtheattentionoftwounemployedflies.MissSimpsonclutchedathermouth.‘Dearme!’shesaidinadistressedsmallvoice,‘Daddy’sfavoriterug!?andDaddy,too,Idobelieve.’Endofchapter,Dorcas,andendoffirstinstallment.Mailitoff.Git."

           Dorcasstoodupandleft,takingalonghershorthandmachine,andnoddingandsmilingtoJillasshedidso.Jubalsaid,"Where’sMike?"

           "Inhisroom,"answeredGillian,"dressing.He’llbealongsoon."

           "‘Dressing’?"Jubalrepeatedpeevishly."Ididn’tsaythepartywasformal."

           "Buthehastogetdressed."

           "Why?Itmakesnonever-mindtomewhetheryoukidswearskinorfleece-linedovercoats–andit’sawarmday.Chasehiminhere."

           "Please,Jubal.He’sgottolearnhowtobehave.I’mtryingsohardtotrainhim."

           "Hmmph!You’retryingtoforceonhimyourownnarrow-minded,middleclass,BibleBeltmorality.Don’tthinkIhaven’tbeenwatching."

           "Ihavenot!Ihaven’tconcernedmyselfwithhismorals;I’vesimplybeenteachinghimnecessarycustoms."