"And then?" Sophia Wilson asked coldly.
"Then..."
Jaylene glanced at Phoebe Smith and said, "Then Joseph misunderstood Phoebe, so I persuaded Joseph that my near fall had nothing to do with Miss Smith. It was just that I didn't pay enough attention while walking and stumbled upon an obstacle."
Jaylene paused before lightly asserting, "I did indeed say the word 'obstacle.' If grandmother thinks that my words were inappropriate, then I can change the way I said it."
Sophia Wilson narrowed her eyes and furrowed her brow, then looked at Susanna Smith and asked, "Since you and Phoebe both think that the words 'obstacle' are a bit harsh, would you agree to Jaylene changing her statement?"
Susanna Smith felt her heart sink in an instant and had a bad feeling about it. She was about to refuse when her niece spoke up first.
"Sure, go ahead, change your statement. I'll see if you can spout something reasonable!"
"Phoebe!" Old Madam Thompson immediately shouted in dissatisfaction.
