“His mother was a washerwoman!” 219
CHAPTER VI
The others were stricken into shocked silence which they were too stunned for the moment to break. It was Fletcher who recovered first, but then Fletcher was the only one present who did not know that the words had struck home.
“We mustn’t wait another moment, David,” he said emphatically, “to get out sweeping denials and––”
“We can’t,” said David wearily. “It is true.”
“Oh,” responded Fletcher lamely.
There was another silence. Something in David’s voice and manner had made the silence still more constrained.
“I’ll go down and smash their banners!” muttered Joe, who had not dared to look in David’s direction.
Mr. Winthrop restrained him.