A sudden horror of himself and Pope seized the younger man. He stiffened and became silent. Never in his life before had he been in a bawling quarrel. He was amazed and ashamed.
"Leave my house!" cried Pope with an imperious gesture towards the door.
Trafford made an absurd effort to save the situation. "I am sorry, sir, I lost my temper. I had no business to abuse you——"
"You've said enough."
"I apologise for that. I've done what I could to manage things decently."
"Will you go, sir?" threatened Mr. Pope.
"I'm sorry I came," said Trafford.
Mr. Pope took his stand with folded arms and an expression of weary patience.
"I did what I could," said Trafford at the door.
The staircase and passage were deserted. The whole house seemed to have caught from Mr. Pope that same quality of seeing him out....