‘I wasn’t speaking to you,’ she replied rather superbly.

‘You can answer me, can’t you?’ he said.

For reply, she suddenly jabbed a knife across his thick, pale hand. He started up with a vulgar curse.

‘Show’s what you are,’ said the Pussum in contempt.

‘Curse you,’ said the young man, standing by the table and looking down at her with acrid malevolence.

‘Stop that,’ said Gerald, in quick, instinctive command.

The young man stood looking down at her with sardonic contempt, a cowed, self-conscious look on his thick, pale face. The blood began to flow from his hand.