Back to the girls..
Judith ( ) huffed. She very, very, rarely argued with Laura. Kate was usually the troublemaker, and though trying to be an accepting, open-minded, mother, she still usually gave Kate a hard time about, well, everything. Joseph ( ), was usually disapproving of Kate also, but not as much as her mother, so she had managed to avoid a few spats with Kate because of his intervening. But Kate was still weary of her mother (even going so far as discouraging Roger from coming along, as you read), and Judith was still disapproving of her daughter. She managed a tight smile, and said, "Well Laura, I'm sure your.. your.. companion, must be a nice young man. And, well, I must be so blessed to have you married before old age, Katherine."
Kate gritted her teeth to prevent a snide remark from slipping out.
Laura let out an audible gasp at this, feeling indignation for her sister. Unfortunately, Joseph was at work; therefore not able to protect his favorite daughter. Judith continued. "Why don't you girls have your men come inside?" Though her sincerity was obviously faked, both Kate and Laura went outside to fetch their "men". When the left the house Judith let out a noise of frustration, but tried to calm herself down by noting the fact that Laura was only 23, and surely, a marriage would happen soon. Surely her companion was a respectable young man. She prayed fervently that he proposed soon, and it would be even better if he proposed during their stay.
When Kate and Laura went outside, they found Ted and Roger walking disinterestedly in the backyard. There was something more to this, though. Something strange was going on. Kate and Laura stared at them for a few moments, and sure enough, they spotted something. Ted walked around the backyard three times, then walked up to Roger (walking in the opposite direction) and said a few words. Roger responded and then threw his hand behind Ted and poked him in the neck. Ted looked astonished, and they both walked their separate ways for a few paces before Ted suddenly jerked around and attempted to jab Roger in the back, but Roger caught Ted's hand swiftly. Ted's face showed disappointment, but Roger seemed to be comforting him. They went over the same process a few more times before the girls approached them.
"Ahem," coughed Kate loudly.
Roger spun around. "Oh, sorry Kate, Ted and I were, erm, testing our reflexes," he said, embarrassed.
"I noticed," replied Kate with a slight smirk. "Mother wants to meet you both," she added, turning to Ted. "Be prepared to not let her get to you."