I stopped reading, in pretended astonishment.
"Well, Penton?" acted Hildreth languidly....
The look of defeat and bewilderment on the husband's face would have been comic if it had not been pitiable.
I rose, laying the book down carefully.
"I think I'll go now, Hildreth ... you wish to see Penton alone." I put all the calm casual deference in my voice possible. I started to walk easily to the door.
"No! stop! I wish you to stay here, John Gregory ... since you've got yourself into this—"
"I'd like to know what you mean by 'got yourself into this'?"
"Oh, Gregory, let's not talk nonsense any longer."
"You don't believe what I assured you this morning?"
"Johnnie, it's not human ... I can't make myself, and I've tried and tried, God knows!"