Mrs. Hartright, aroused by the noise above, was just emerging from her
door to learn the cause of it all. "Why, what's the matter, son?" she
questioned gently, as Ben, both angry and frightened, strode up to where
she stood.

"Didn't you hear me asking Fannie where Emily is? Didn't you know that
she hasn't been in her room, and here it is nearly four o'clock in the
morning!"

"Emily went out just after tea, and I thought she had returned,"
answered the mother. "Perhaps she went walking with some of her girl
friends, was taken ill and had to stop at one of their homes. Wait
Benny, I'll dress and help you to look for her."

Ben Hartright turned and walked slowly to the door and paused to wait
for his mother. There was a turn of the door latch, a vigorous twist of
a key in the lock; the door flew open and Emily Hartright walked in. She
apparently did not see her husband who stood and eyed her angrily as she
entered and began to ascend the steps to her room.

"Emily," said Ben, following and seizing his wife by the arm. "Are you
mad, if not explain this extraordinary conduct of yours. Where have you
been?" She turned, gazed into her husband's eyes for a moment, then with
one vigorous tug, she wrenched her arm from his grasp and proceeded up
the steps. The mother by this time had joined her son, and they both
followed the young lady who had entered her room and was removing her
wraps.

"What's the matter my darling?" said Mrs. Hartright, throwing her arms
around her daughter's waist. "I was so troubled about you. What kept you
out so late, Emily?"

"Wait, mother, until I have rested and composed myself, then I will
explain," answered Emily, softly.

Ben had sank into a chair and sat with his chin resting upon the palm of
his hand. Emily sat upon the side of the bed.

"Men go night after night," she said, "stay as long as they please, and
return in whatever condition they please; and to queries of their wives,
they are evasive in their answers; but when a woman takes the privilege
of exercising her rights--"

"_Her rights_," roared Ben, jumping to his feet. "A lady goes out of her
residence, leaves her servant and relatives in ignorance of her
destination, returns at four o' clock in the morning to tell anxious
husband and mother about _her rights_! We'll have a direct explanation
from you, Mrs. Hartright, without preambling."

"I'll not be bullied, Ben Hartright," answered the young wife calmly.
"Remember that