He felt that she was condemning him, and a secret anger surged through him. His reserve, too, was suffering torment.
"I'm sorry, Charmian. But I couldn't help it."
"But then, why did you go up and shut yourself in day after day?"
"I hoped to be able to do something."
"But——"
"And I saw you expected me to go."
The truth was out. Claude felt, as he spoke it, as if he were tearing off clothes. How he loathed that weakness of his, which manifested itself in the sometimes almost uncontrollable instinct to give, or to try to give, others what they expected of him.
"Expected you! But naturally—"
"Yes, I know. Well, that's how it is! I can't work in this house."
He spoke almost roughly now.