He nodded again
“Tell me,” she demanded, “has he ever struck her?”
“Once,” he answered slowly, “before I was born—he struck her and she fell against something. That is why I am like this.” And he touched his shoulder.
The feeling which surged through Betty Vanderpoel's being forced her to go and stand with her face turned towards the windows, her hands holding each other tightly behind her back.
“I must keep still,” she said. “I must make myself keep still.”
She spoke unconsciously half aloud, and Ughtred heard her and replied hurriedly.
“Yes,” he said, “you must make yourself keep still. That is what we have to do whatever happens. That is one of the things mother wanted you to know. She is afraid. She daren't let you——”
She turned from the window, standing at her full height and looking very tall for a girl.
“She is afraid? She daren't? See—that will come to an end now. There are things which can be done.”
He flushed nervously.