夜雨聆风fellows outside’ – ‘drink’ –The sharp, irritating voice burst out indignantly: ‘You’ll do no suchthing, George. The idea now. How do you think we’ll ever make this placepay if you go round standing everybody drinks? Drinks here will be paidfor. I’ve got a business-head if you haven’t. Why, you’d be bankrupt tomor-row if it wasn’t for me! I’ve got to look after you like a child. Yes, just like achild. You’ve got no sense at all. Give me that bottle. Give it to me, I say.’
Again there was an agonized low protesting mumble. Mrs Luttrellanswered snappishly: ‘I don’t care whether they do or they don’t. Thebottle’s going back in the cupboard, and I’m going to lock the cupboardtoo.’
There was the sound of a key being turned in the lock.
‘There now. That’s the way of it.’
This time the Colonel’s voice came more clearly: ‘You’re going too far,Daisy. I won’t have it.’
‘You won’t haveit? And who areyou
I’d liketoknow? Who runs this house? I do. And don’t you forget it.’
There was a faint swish of draperies and Mrs Luttrell evidently flouncedout of the room.
It was some few moments before the Colonel reappeared. He looked inthose few moments to have grown much older and feebler.