'I don't wish you to be violent, father, but you might hint to Mr. Moulton that I do not wish----' 'That man--he, too, is merely an expense.' 'I am sure, father, that it is not right of him to put his arms round me--he tried to kiss me. I was alone in the drawing-room. And he speaks in a way that I do not like--I don't know.... I don't like him; he frightens me.' 'Frightens you! That fellow--that fellow!' 'Yes; he asks me questions.' 'He never shall do so again. Is he in the drawing-room?' 'Yes; but, father, you cannot speak to him now, there are people in the drawing-room.' 'I don't care who's there.' 'No, father, no; I beg of you. Mother will never forgive me.... Father, you mustn't make a scene. Father, you cannot go to the drawing-room in those clothes,' and in desperate resolve, Agnes threw herself between the Major and the door, pressing him back with both hands. 'They think me a sheep, I have been a sheep too long, but they shall see that even the sheep will turn to save its lamb from the butcher. I'll go to them, yes, and in these clothes--Agnes, let me go.' 'I want you to speak to Mr. Moulton.... But not now, this is not the time.' He tried to push past her, but she resisted him, and sat down in front of his type-writing machine, pale and exhausted, the sweat pearling his bald forehead. She tried to calm him and to induce him to understand the scandal he would make if he were to go down to the drawing-room, dressed as he was. But her words did not seem to reach the Major's brain. He only muttered that the time had come to put his house in order. Agnes answered, 'Father, for my sake ... not now.' But he must obey the idea which pierced his brain, and before she could prevent him he slipped past her and opened the door. 'Oh, father, don't, for my sake, please.' His lips moved but he did not speak. 'I will not make a scene,' he said at last. 'Father!' 'I will not make a scene, but I must do something.... I promise you that I will not make a scene, but I must go down to the drawing-room in these clothes. In these clothes,' he repeated. There was something in his look which conveyed a sense of the inevitable, and Agnes watched him descend the stairs. She followed slowly, catching at the banisters leaning against the wall. She noticed that his step was heavy and irresolute and hoped he would refrain. But he went on, step after step. V. He had intended to turn the entire crew out of the house; but Agnes had induced him to relinquish this idea, and, as no fresh idea had taken its place, he entered the drawing-room with no more than a vague notion that he should parade his old clothes, and reprove the conversation. 'Olive, I've come down for a cup of tea.' 'I don't mind giving you a cup,' said Mrs. Lahens, 'but I think you might have taken the trouble to change your clothes: that's hardly a costume to receive ladies in. Look at him, Lady Castlerich--that's what I've to put up with.'