"Be quiet, you shameful girl!"
"Be quiet yourself, Papa. I'm not as shameful as Molly is. I'm not as shameful as you are yourself. You killed Mother."
"Oh—my—God——" The words were almost inaudible in the Vicar's shuddering groan.
He advanced on her to turn her from the room. Ally sank on her sofa as she saw him come.
Rowcliffe stepped between them.
"For God's sake, sir——"
Ally was struggling in hysterics now, choking between her piteous and savage cries.
Rowcliffe laid her on the sofa and put a cushion under her head. When he tried to loosen her gown at her throat she screamed.
"It's all right, Ally, it's all right."
"Is it? Is it?" The Vicar hissed at him.