There was not a flicker on Geraldine’s face. She must be very stupid or very cruel.
‘What beats me,’ said Geraldine, ‘is why this dead set against me?—against her and me. What do you want to interfere with us for? It’s not your business, any of you. I thought I’d come and tell you so.’
There was a curious coarseness about her: almost a vulgarity. It was difficult to combat.
Judith lifted her eyes and looked at her in silence.
‘So you’ve all sent Jennifer to Coventry.’ She laughed. ‘It’s marvellous. A female institution is really marvellous. At least it would be if it weren’t so nauseating.’ Still Judith was silent, and she added contemptuously:
‘I should have thought a bit better of you if you’d come yourself. Do you generally get other people to do your dirty work for you?’
Judith got up and went towards the door.
‘Where are you going?’ said Geraldine sharply.
‘To Jennifer, to ask her to explain.’
‘You can’t do that.’ The change in her voice and manner was noticeable. ‘Jennifer’s lying down. I left her trying to sleep. She mustn’t be disturbed.’