The elder Mrs. Grant and Master Grant were at a loss for words, and so was Mr. Grant, who sat to one side. Mrs. Grant looked embarrassed.
She finally spoke. "Elmer, how could you... how could you hit your aunt?"
He said it as if joking, but he was dead serious. "If anyone dares to say a single bad word about my mommy, I won't let it slide! I don't care who it is. If you don't believe me, Grandma, you can try it! What's this about my mommy 'not being that smart'? Explain yourself."
The five of them froze simultaneously.
Mrs. Grant knew she had to be even more careful with her words now. 'Otherwise, if the two grandsons get upset and go home and say something, it won't just be difficult to see them in the future. Mending my relationship with Nora Ainsworth will become next to impossible.'
"Sweethearts, your aunt didn't mean it like that."
"My brother and I may be young, but we understand what people are saying—unless they're not speaking like a decent human being."
