“Where have you been?”
“Why, I’ve come straight from Jimmy’s, Ma.”
“That’s a lie! The butcher’s boy, who has just left, saw you outside the Horse Shoe. Who were you waiting for?”
“I wasn’t waiting for any one!” cried Lily, her eyes blazing with anger.
“You devil!” said Ma, looking round for a stick, an umbrella....
And, when she saw nothing within reach, her anger increased. Then she stiffened her arm and made for Lily, who sprang behind the table....
But Ma, tripping on the carpet, fell at full length, dragging down with her the table-cloth and two cups that were on it.
“My two china cups! You viper!” she yelled.
At that moment, the door opened; Clifton entered. He seemed preoccupied; looked at his watch:
“Nine o’clock. We ought to be at the theater! Where are the girls? And what ... what’s all this?” he asked, on seeing the disorder, Mrs. Clifton scrambling up from the floor, Lily scowling in a corner.