"That fat beast! What's he done?"
"He hasn't done much—yet."
"Tell everything!"
"He came into my room one night and turned me up in my bed. I woke, on my head, in the dark, half-smothered, and couldn't think what had happened; it was simply awful. Then I heard his beastly voice saying, 'If I let you down, will you do what I ask you?' I'd have promised anything to get out of that horrible, choking prison, and now he threatens to turn me up every night, and I dream of it——"
"Go on," said John, grimly. "No, you needn't go on. I can guess what this low cad is up to."
"He said he'd be my friend; as if I'd have a beast like that for a friend."
"Did you tell him that?"
"Yes, I did."
"You're a good-plucked 'un, Esmé. And he's made it warm for you ever since?"
"Yes."