"How can you—how dare you say such a thing as that?" she cried, aghast.
He coloured, and drew her closer to him.
"I—I didn't mean it," he faltered.
"You have always taken sides against him," began his mother.
"Please, mother," he cried miserably.
"You say this to me NOW," she went on. "You who are left to take his place in my affection.—Why, Leslie, I—I—"
Vivian interposed. "Les is upset, mamma darling. You know he loved Challis as deeply as any of us loved him."
Afterwards the girl said to Leslie when they were quite alone: "She will never forgive you for that, Les. It was a beastly thing to say."
He bit his lip, which trembled. "She's never cared for me as she cared for Chal. I'm sorry if I've made it worse."
"See here, Leslie, was Chal so—so—"