"I refuse to answer such a question. Surely I haven't to tell you of every letter I write. If you've been spying over my shoulder it's your own fault. How would you like me to read all the letters you write?" "I wouldn't mind in the least, Kenneth, if I thought you didn't trust me." "Well, I do trust you, you see, and even if I didn't I shouldn't attempt such an unheard--of liberty. And if you can't trust me without censoring my correspondence, I'm afraid you'll have to go on mistrusting me." "I don't want to censor your correspondence. I only want you to answer me a straight question: is that a letter to Clare that you're writing?" "It's a most improper question, and I refuse to answer it." "Very well.... I think it's time for dinner; hadn't you better finish the letter afterwards? Unless of course, it's very important." During dinner she said: "I don't feel like staying in from now until bedtime. You'll want to finish your letter, of course, so I think, if you don't mind, I'll go to the local kinema." "You can't go alone, can you?" "There's nobody can very easily stop me, is there? You don't want to come with me, I suppose?" "I'm afraid I don't care for kinemas much? Isn't there a theatre somewhere?" "No. Only a kinema. I looked in the _Seacliffe Gazette_. In the summer there are Pierrots on the sands, of course." "So you want to go alone to the kinema?" "Yes." "All right. But I'll meet you when it's over. Half-past ten, I suppose?" "Probably about then. You don't mind me leaving you for a few hours, do you?" "Oh, not at all. I hope you have a good time. I'm sure I can quite understand you being bored with Seacliffe. It's the deadest hole I've ever struck." "But it's doing you good, isn't it?" "Oh, yes, I daresay it is in _that_ way." She added, after a pause: "When you get back to the lounge you'll wonder where you put your half-written letter." "What do you mean?" He suddenly felt in his inside coat-pocket. "Why--where is it? I thought I put it in my pocket. Who's got it? Have _you_?" "Yes. You thought you put it in your pocket, I know. But you didn't. You left it on the writing table and I picked it up when you weren't looking." "Then you _have_ got it?" "Yes, I have got it." He went red with rage. "Helen, I don't want to make a scene in front of the servants, but I insist on you giving up to me that letter. You've absolutely no right to it, and I demand that you give it me immediately." "You shall have it after I've read it." "Good God, Helen, don't play the fool with me! I want it now, this minute! Understand, I mean it! I want it now!" "And I shan't give it to you."