The Major looked round, uncertain whom to address next. Catching Mr.
Moulton, who was stealing past him, by the arm, he said:
'You, too, understand how humiliating it is to be a mere expense. Why don't you buy a type-writing machine?'
'Perhaps I shall … the first money I get,' Mr. Moulton answered, and disengaging his arm he hurried away, leaving the Major alone with his wife. She sat in her arm-chair looking into the fire. The Major waited, expecting her to speak, but she said not a word.
'I want to talk to you, Olive.'
'To hear what I have to say about your conduct, I suppose. I have nothing to say.'
'I'm not clever, like you, and don't say the right thing, but something had to be done, and I did it as best I could.'
'You're madder than I thought you were.'
'Something had to be done?'
'Something had to be done! What do you mean? But it doesn't matter.'
'Yes, it does, Olive. I want you to understand that Agnes must be saved.'