He sat beside her, but she did not welcome him. She was hurt.
"If I'd only known, I wouldn't——"
"Day after day," she whispered. "I know you like to be out and about. I don't claim you always, do I? But sometimes, surely."
"I didn't know," he repeated remorsefully. "I didn't know."
"Yesterday you went and to-morrow you'll go."
"No, I won't. Freda, I'm a brute. I've been rotten to you. I've nothing to say for myself."
"You've got to go to-morrow."
"I won't. You don't want me to go."
"You must go. I'm not going to keep you, if you don't stay of your own accord. The ball is much more amusing than I am."
He pleaded, he fought against her, but she insisted on his going.