"I've always really liked you."
"You wouldn't if you knew."
"Knew what?"
"Come. I'll show you."
After Miss Toombs had settled with the waiter, they left the restaurant. Miss Toombs accompanied Mavis along the Wilton Road and Denbigh Street. Halverton Street was presently reached. Mavis opened the door of Mrs Gussle's; with set face, she walked the passage to her room, followed by plain Miss Toombs. She unlocked the door of this and made way for her friend to enter. Clothes hung to dry from ropes stretched across the room: the baby slept in his rough, soap-box cradle.
Miss Toombs seemed to disregard the appearance of the room; her eyes sought the baby sleeping in the box.
"There!" cried Mavis. "Now you know."
"A baby!" gasped Miss Toombs.
"You've been kind to me. I had to let you know."
"Oh, you damn beast!" cried Miss Toombs.