"She's saying—— Oh, she's really a beast, that woman! She's saying that you've given him drugs ... taught him how to take them."
"Drugs?" said Sophy. Her brows knitted together. She was very pale. "Drugs?" she repeated.
"Yes—opium—morphine ... that kind of thing.... I consulted Jack before telling you." (Jack was Mr. Arundel.) "And he said I should by all means. You aren't vexed with me for telling you, are you?"
Olive's italics were very plaintive.
Sophy was looking down at the tip of her shoe, which she moved slightly to and fro on the soft carpet. She said in a low voice, very gently:
"No; I thank you."
Then she turned and went to the window, pulling aside the curtains and looking blindly out into the soft, pale night.
Drugs! She had never thought of that in her inexperience. All resentment at her mother-in-law's accusation was engulfed in that appalling revelation.
Behind her back, Mrs. Arundel stole nervous peeps at the little ormolu clock on the mantelpiece. That new frock had quantities of hooks and eyes on it. She wished now that she had not sent Marie away, or that she had waited to tell Sophy until the gown was on. It was unfortunate. One couldn't go up to a person who was overcome with righteous wrath and say: "Would you mind, dear, just hooking me up, before you give way further to your feelings?"
But just here Sophy turned and came towards her.