"Mother, Ern's going to be married."
"You needn't tell me," said Anne harshly. "There's a bastard. Did he tell you that?"
It was seldom that Anne allowed herself to indulge in coarseness when addressing her husband.
He gave his familiar little click of disgust, and shut the door between the two rooms.
That night he did not join her but slept, if he slept at all, on the camp-bed in the dressing-room.
Next day, Anne Caspar went round to interview Mrs. Trupp.
The years had brought the two women no nearer, rather the reverse indeed.
Mrs. Trupp was soaring always into heaven: Mrs. Caspar chained to her prison-cell on earth.
"She's a good woman," said Mrs. Trupp of Ruth, with stubborn gentleness. "I don't know a better."
"But she's had a illegitimate child. It's sin! It's wickedness!"