Virginia turned round and faced her sister. First looking round the room to make sure no one was there, she said in a whisper:
"Did Jimmie ever come home—drunk?"
"I should like to see him try it," exclaimed Fanny indignantly. "Just once. I imagine once would be enough."
"Then you can't understand it," said Virginia quickly.
"Does—Robert?" asked Fanny in a low tone.
Virginia nodded and turned her head away.
"Often?" demanded her sister.
Virginia shook her head despondently. Stifling back the sobs that choked her utterance, she answered:
"If it were often, I couldn't bear it. I should have left him long ago. It's bad enough as it is."
Fanny kissed her.