Marion stretched out her hand to the fire. Her insanely polished nails glittered like jewels.
She said in that indifferent tone: "Well, it wasn't so bad."
Some passion shook him. "Mother! Mother! To think of him bringing that woman into this house—to meet you and Ellen!"
"Hush, oh hush! He does not know."
"But, mother! He ought to! Anyone could see—"
"What she was. Yes, poor woman. But remember I made a bad job of Roger. I gave him no brains."
"Mother—it mustn't happen again. She can't come here again."
She grew stern. "Richard, you must say nothing to Roger. Nor to her. She's his love and pride. So far as he's concerned, she's a better woman than I am. I never put my love and pride in his life. If you speak to either of them you will ... add to my already heavy guilt. Besides ... how can she hurt Ellen and me? She's very weak. We're very strong."
"But, mother, you saw what she was."
"More than you did. She's had a child not long since."