Alice dragged him into the hall and he took his hat down. "You ought to have something over your head," he said to her.
"Rubbish! It's summer. Come on."
Alice flung the front door wide. The wind took their breaths for a second. He stumbled a little as he followed her down the steps and into the empty street. Overhead the moon, a lurid yellow, scudded between transparent black clouds.
"It's too stormy to walk. We mustn't go far or the rain will catch us."
"It won't yet awhile. I had to get out of that house." Alice linked her arm in his. She could feel his discomfort in her talk as though it came through her sleeve against him.
"I'm sorry to hear you talk about your home like that, Alice." Mr. Farley sounded hurt.
"Who wouldn't! I loathe Mamma—that's all."
Mr. Farley's arm quivered where it brushed Alice's shoulder. "You're unjust to her. She's done the best she can for you."
"Has she! Well, my God, she couldn't have done worse."
"I don't think you're just to her."