Nan and Di clasped each others' hands.

Shirley tried to look unconcerned.
Susan sat as if paralysed, her piece of pie half-eaten on her plate.
Susan never did finish that piece of pie--a fact which bore eloquent testimony to the upheaval in her inner woman for Susan considered it a cardinal offence against civilized society to begin to eat anything and not finish it.

That was wilful waste, hens to the contrary notwithstanding.
Jem turned to the phone again.

"I must ring the manse.

Jerry will want to go, too." At this Nan had cried out "Oh!" as if a knife had been thrust into her, and rushed from the room.