"You own to 'once'? You—you——" he stifled with his fury. "Once is enough with a low blackguard like Greatorex. And you were seen more than once. You've been seen with him after dark." He boomed. "There isn't a poor drunken slut in the village who's disgraced herself like you."
Mary intervened. "Sh—sh—Papa. They'll hear you in the kitchen."
"They'll hear her." (Ally was moaning.) "Stop that whimpering and whining."
"She can't help it."
"She can help it if she likes. Come, Ally, we're all here——Poor Mary's come up and Steven. There are things we've got to know and I insist on knowing them. You've brought the most awful trouble and shame on me and your sister and brother-in-law, and the least you can do is to answer truthfully. I can't stand any more of this distressing altercation. I'm not going to extort any painful confession. You've only got to answer a simple Yes or No. Were you anywhere with Jim Greatorex before Dr. Harker saw you in December? Think before you speak. Yes or No."
She thought.
"N-no."
"Remember, Ally," said Mary, "he saw you in November."
"He didn't. Where?"
The Vicar answered her. "At your sister's wedding."