The shift in Edwards attitude was, once again, jarring for Mable.  She could feel that he was angry, but she didn't understand why.  Anger was so often purposeless, though.  It would strike her father out of nowhere, and cause him to lash out, and it was happening to her brother and now her friend.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I didn't mean to upset you.  We won't see your house, and I won't ask again, okay?  Instead, I'll show you the room I'm staying in, I'll give you a tour!  That'll be fun, don't you think?  It'll be nice!"

Mable looked at Edward for a moment, and patted his head like her brother would do to her when she was feeling sad, and gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile.