They were all standing. Sadako and the lawyer had formed up behind the runaway as though to give her moral support.
"Asako," said Geoffrey sternly, "what does this mean?"
The presence of the two Japanese exasperated him. His manner was tactless and unfortunate. His tall stature in the dainty room looked coarse and brutal. Sadako and Ito were staring at his offending boots with an expression of utter horror. Geoffrey suddenly remembered that he ought to have taken them off.
"Oh, damn," he thought.
"Geoffrey," said his wife, "I can't come back. I am sorry. I have decided to stay here."
"Why?" asked Geoffrey brusquely.
"Because I know that you do not love me. I think you never loved anything except my money."
The hideous irony of this statement made poor Geoffrey gasp. He gripped the wooden framework of the room so as to steady himself.
"Good God!" he shouted. "Your money! Do you know where it comes from?"
Asako stared at him, more and more bewildered.