e
deliberation.

Jack found that he had no appetite. Forebodings were at work with him.
Perhaps Vic had told. Of course not, she couldn't be such a fool. What a
beastly room it was! Sideboard must weigh a ton. And those red curtains!
awful, simply awful. Good God, why couldn't he get out of the damned
place and take Vic with him. Couldn't do that yet of course, but
couldn't stick it much longer. He'd be off to the City now. Simply awful
here. Jack rose to his feet suddenly, so suddenly that his chair tilted
and fell over.

Mrs Holt looked up. 'I wish you wouldn't be so noisy, Jack,' she said.

'Sorry, mater,' said Jack, going round to her and bending down to kiss
her. 'I'm off.'

'You're in a fine hurry,' remarked Mr Holt grimly, looking up and
speaking for the first time.

'Left some work over,' said Jack, in a curt manner, making for the door.

'Hem! you've got work on the brain,' retorted his father in his most
sardonic tone.

Jack opened the door without a word.

'One minute, Jack,' said Mrs Holt placidly, 'you needn't go yet, your
father and I have something to say to you.'

Jack stood rooted to the ground. His knees almost gave way beneath him.
It, it, it was it. They knew. Victoria's face, the profile of which he
could see outlined like a plaster cast against the red wall paper did
not help him. Her face had set, rigid like a mask. Now she knew why the
previous evening had gone by in silence. She rose to her feet, a strange
numb feeling creeping all over her.

'Don't go, Mrs Fulton,' said Mr Holt sharply, 'this concerns you.'

For some seconds the party remained silent. Mr and Mrs Holt had not
moved from the table. Jack and Victoria stood right and left, like
prisoners at the bar.

'Victoria,' said Mrs Holt, 'I'm very sorry to have to say it, but I'm
afraid you know what I'm going to tell you. Of course I don't say I
blame you. It's quite natural at your age and all that.' She stopped,
for a flush was rising in Victoria's face, the cheekbones showing two
little red patches. Mr Holt had clasped his hands together and kept his
eyes fixed on Victoria's with unnatural intensity.

'You see, Victoria,' resumed Mrs Holt, 'it's always difficult when
there's a young man in the house; of course I make allowances, but,
really, you see it's so complicated and things get so annoying. You know
what people are . . .'

'That'll do, Maria,' snarled Mr Holt, jumping to his feet. 'If you don't
know what you have