Jolly stepped back and leaned against the lintel of the window.
“This is our house,” he said; “I’m not going to insult you in it. But my father’s away. I’m in charge of my sister. You’ve taken advantage of me.
“I didn’t mean to,” said Val hotly.
“I think you did,” said Jolly. “If you hadn’t meant to, you’d have spoken to me, or waited for my father to come back.”
“There were reasons,” said Val.
“What reasons?”
“About my family—I’ve just told her. I wanted her to know before things happen.”
Jolly suddenly became less distinguished.
“You’re kids,” he said, “and you know you are.
“I am not a kid,” said Val.