"Why not? I had to get through the time somehow. I was in a surly temper; if I'd come home sooner, I should have raged at you. Don't say anything to irritate me, Ciss; I'm not quite sure of myself yet."
"But I think the raging would have been preferable; I've had the dreariest day I ever spent."
"I suppose some one or other called?"
"Yes, but I didn't see them. You have made me very uncertain of howl ought to behave. I thought it better to keep to myself till we had come to a clearer understanding."
"That is perversity, you know. And it was perversity that led you to write in such a way to Mrs. Travis."
"You are quite right. But the provocation was great. And after all I don't see that there is much difference between writing to her that she mustn't come, and giving directions to a servant that she isn't to be admitted."
"You said in the letter that I had forbidden it?"
"Yes, I did."
"And so made me ridiculous!" he exclaimed petulantly.
"My dear, you were ridiculous. It's better that you should see it plainly."