It was as if a child had asked on the verge of terror for a candle in the dark. But an hour’s terror is better than a lifetime of timidity. Sheila sighed.
‘I think,’ she said, ‘I too might say that. But there; giving way will do nothing for either of us. I shall be gone only for an hour, or two at the most. And I told Mr Bethany I should have to come out before the sermon: it’s only Mr Craik.’
‘But why Mrs Sherwin? She’d worm a secret out of one’s grave.’
‘It’s useless to discuss that, Arthur; you have always consistently disliked my friends. It’s scarcely likely that you would find any improvement in them now.’
‘Oh, well—’ he began. But the door was already closed.
‘Sheila!’ he called in a burst of anger.
‘Well, Arthur?’
‘You have taken my latchkey.’
Sheila came hastily in again. ‘Your latchkey?’
‘I am going out.’