A woman—in an old-timey black dress, with her salt-and-pepper hair pulled tight into a bun and a perpetual disapproving frown—stood predictably by the door, that look of warning on her face.
"Bring the child inside," she ordered.
"She has been inside all day, mama." Another woman countered. She was younger, had raven hair, and long black eyelashes, and was laughing around a group of children.
The older woman took a step down a front porch. "And with good reason, too!" She yelled. "Bring her inside right now!"
A little girl with curly salt-and-pepper hair appeared startled by the older woman. The younger one smiled down at her, rubbing her arm comfortingly.
"I'm giving her an hour with the other kids." She replied. "Go away, ma."
The woman obeyed, but only to turn and clomp up and down the hallway, calling attention to herself. She really couldn't be more annoying.
"Relax, she's gone now."
