She was troubled--much troubled--by the twins' behaviour.

She must somehow get to the bottom of it.
So that when only she and Pamela were left in the hall she went up to the girl, not without agitation.
'Pamela--won't you tell me ?--have I done anything to offend you and Desmond ?' She spoke very quietly, but her tone showed her wounded.

Pamela started and looked up.
'I don't know what you mean,' she said coldly.

'Did you think we had been rude to you ?' It was the first hostile word they had ever exchanged.
Elizabeth grew pale.
'I didn't say anything about your being rude.

I asked you if you were cross with me.' 'Oh--cross!' said Pamela, suddenly conscious of a suffocating excitement.