e matter,' he replied, with the
awkward rotundity of phrase which distinguished him in his worst humour.
'For information you had better go to Mrs Goby--or a person of some such
name--in Holloway Road. I have nothing more to do with it.'

'It was very unfortunate that the woman came and troubled you about
such things. But I can't see that mother was to blame; I don't think you
ought to be so angry with her.'

It cost Marian a terrible effort to address her father in these terms.
When he turned fiercely upon her, she shrank back and felt as if
strength must fail her even to stand.

'You can't see that she was to blame? Isn't it entirely against my wish
that she keeps up any intercourse with those low people? Am I to be
exposed to insulting disturbance in my very study, because she chooses
to introduce girls of bad character as servants to vulgar women?'

'I don't think Annie Rudd can be called a girl of bad character, and
it was very natural that mother should try to do something for her. You
have never actually forbidden her to see her relatives.'

'A thousand times I have given her to understand that I utterly
disapproved of such association. She knew perfectly well that this girl
was as likely as not to discredit her. If she had consulted me, I should
at once have forbidden anything of the kind; she was aware of that. She
kept it secret from me, knowing that it would excite my displeasure. I
will not be drawn into such squalid affairs; I won't have my name spoken
in such connection. Your mother has only herself to blame if I am angry
with her.'

'Your anger goes beyond all bounds. At the very worst, mother behaved
imprudently, and with a very good motive. It is cruel that you should
make her suffer as she is doing.'

Marian was being strengthened to resist. Her blood grew hot; the
sensation which once before had brought her to the verge of conflict
with her father possessed her heart and brain.

'You are not a suitable judge of my behaviour,' replied Yule, severely.

'I am driven to speak. We can't go on living in this way, father. For
months our home has been almost ceaselessly wretched, because of the
ill-temper you are always in. Mother and I must defend ourselves; we
can't bear it any longer. You must surely feel how ridiculous it is to
make such a thing as happened this morning the excuse for violent anger.
How can I help judging your behaviour? When mother is brought to the
point of saying that she wou