"Did he write you to come?"
"No."
"Did he expect you?"
"No."
"Some one who went up in the same train with you has had the audacity to bring back the report that you went to the hotel to see Ethan before you went to Mrs. Ball's at all."
Val did not make the expected denial.
"I'm ashamed of you"—the old face worked—"I've never been ashamed before of a woman of this house."
"I am not ashamed," said Val.
"Then all I can say is"—Mrs. Gano extended her shawled arm—"you are without the feelings of a decent woman."