He paused, flushed by his diatribe, and fixing on her a look in which resentment was the ingredient she least disliked. But she had regained her presence of mind, and stood composedly in the middle of the room, while her slight smile seemed to put an ever increasing distance between herself and Trenor.
Across it she said: “Don’t be absurd, Gus. It’s past eleven, and I must really ask you to ring for a cab.”
He remained immovable, with the lowering forehead she had grown to detest.
“And supposing I won’t ring for one—what’ll you do then?”
“I shall go upstairs to Judy if you force me to disturb her.”
Trenor drew a step nearer and laid his hand on her arm. “Look here, Lily: won’t you give me five minutes of your own accord?”
“Not tonight, Gus: you——”
“Very good, then: I’ll take ’em. And as many more as I want.” He had squared himself on the threshold, his hands thrust deep in his pockets. He nodded toward the chair on the hearth.
“Go and sit down there, please: I’ve got a word to say to you.”
Lily’s quick temper was getting the better of her fears. She drew herself up and moved toward the door.