During the days and weeks that followed, Percival maintained an attitude of rigid but courteous aloofness.

Only on occasions when it was necessary to consult with Ruth and her aunt on matters pertaining to the "order of the day" did he relax in the slightest degree from the position he had taken in regard to them.
In time, the captious Mrs.Spofford began to resent this studied indifference.

She detested him more than ever for not running true to the form she had predicted; her apprehensiveness gave way to irritation.
She resented his dignified, pleasant "good mornings"; she complained acidly to Ruth about what she was now pleased to describe as "disgusting superciliousness." The truth of the matter was, he failed to take any account whatsoever of Mrs.Spofford in his calculations; he did not even make a pretence of consulting her in matters relating to the common good of the common people, and as she was in the habit of devoting a considerable portion of her time, energy and executive ability to the interests of the common or lower class people, the omission was an insult.
Nor was his cause benefited by the unnecessary and uncalled for deference he seemed to feel was due her on account of her age.

What had her age to do with it?
No one had ever deferred to her age in New York?
She was one to be reckoned with, she was accustomed to the deference that hasn't anything at all to do with age.

And here she was, shunted to one side, ignored, disregarded,--she who had been the brains and inspiration of a dozen charitable enterprises, to say nothing of war-work and very important activities in opposition to Woman Suffrage! She found little consolation in Landover's contention that the upstart was bound to hang himself if they gave him rope enough, or in Ruth's patient reminder that Percival was getting results,--and getting them without bullying anybody.
Ruth accepted the situation with a calmness that exasperated her aunt.
She announced her intention to obey any order the "boss" might issue, without recrimination, without complaint.