She entered my little living-room. It was the first time she had ever visited me, but she did not stop for a glance about her; she did not even stop to sit down. “Why didn’t you tell me that you knew Sylvia Castleman?” she cried.
“My dear woman,” I replied, “I was not under the least obligation to tell you.”
“You have betrayed me!” she exclaimed, wildly.
“Come, Claire,” I said, after I had looked her in the eye a bit to calm her. “You know quite well that I was under no bond of secrecy. And, besides, I haven’t done you any harm.”
“Why did you do it?” I regret to add that she swore.
“I never once mentioned your name, Claire.”
“How much good do you imagine that does me? They have managed to find out everything. They caught me in a trap.”
I reminded myself that it would not do to show any pity for her. “Sit down, Claire,” I said. “Tell me about it.”
She cried, in a last burst of anger, “I don’t want to talk to you!”
“All right,” I answered. “But then, why did you come?”