He made no reply and she went on: “What was the trouble, Stanton?”
“Valentine got himself into a scrape.”
“That unhappy boy!” she said mournfully.
“Do not worry,” said Mr. Armour, trying to clear his face, “it may not be so bad as we think.”
“How bad is it? why do you hesitate?” she said in a low, disturbed voice.
“I do not like to tell you disagreeable things, Vivienne.”
“Am I a doll or a child that I can endure nothing? I do not like to be so treated, Stanton. What was Valentine doing?”
“You know that he has been drinking lately?”
“Yes.”
“This evening when my father and his guests were at supper Valentine came in and made some remarks that they considered insulting.”