Father stood with his back to the fireplace and his hands in his pockets.

He was plainly angry at being disturbed.

Anybody could see that.

He began speaking at once, the minute I got into the room--very cold and dignified.
"Mary, your aunt tells me you have been disobedient and disrespectful to her.

Have you anything to say ?" I shook my head and said, "No, sir." What could I say?
Old folks ask such senseless questions, sometimes.
Naturally I wasn't going to say I _had_ been disrespectful and disobedient when I hadn't; and of course, I couldn't say I _hadn't_ been when Aunt Jane said I _had_.