With an air of astonishment, which also betrayed a little irritation, she said:
“So you open the door now? Where is Julie?”
His throat felt tight and his breathing was labored as he tried to. reply, without being able to utter a word.
“Are you dumb?” she continued. “I asked you where Julie is?”
“She—she—has—gone——” he managed to stammer.
His wife began to get angry. “What do you mean by gone? Where has she gone? Why?”
By degrees he regained his coolness. He felt an intense hatred rise up in him for that insolent woman who was standing before him.
“Yes, she has gone altogether. I sent her away.”
“You have sent away Julie? Why, you must be mad.”
“Yes, I sent her away because she was insolent, and because—because she was ill-using the child.”