I looked across the room to the corner where Luella was entertaining the insignificant Inman. How vivacious and intelligent she appeared! Her face and figure grew on me in attractiveness, and I felt that I was being very badly used. As I came to this point I was roused by the sound of two low voices that just behind me were plainly audible under the shrill treble of Mrs. Bowser. They were women with their heads close in gossip.
“Shocking, isn't it?” said one.
“Dreadful!” said the other. “It gives me the creeps to think of it.”
“Why don't they lock him up? Such a creature shouldn't be allowed to go at large.”
“Oh, you see, maybe they can't be sure about it. But I've heard it's a case of family pride.”
I was recalled from this dialogue by Mrs. Bowser's fan on my arm, and her shrill voice in my ear with, “What is your idea about it, Mr. Wilton?”
“I think you are perfectly right,” I said heartily, as she paused for an answer.
“Then I'll arrange it with the others at once,” she said.
This was a bucket of ice-water on me. I had not the first idea to what I had committed myself.
“No, don't,” I said. “Wait till we have time to discuss it again.”