"Don't, don't!" shrieked Mrs. Ogden hysterically. "Don't say it again,
James. I can't bear it!"
"Well, upon my word----"
"There! You've said it! Oh, Oh, Oh!" She suddenly covered her face with
her table napkin and burst into loud sobs.
Colonel Ogden was speechless. Then he turned a little pale, his heart
thumped.
"Mary, for heaven's sake!"
"I can't help it, James! I can't, I can't!"
"But, Mary, my dear!"
"Don't touch me, leave me alone!"
"Oh, all right; but I say, Mary, don't do this!"
"I wish I were dead!"
"Mary!"
"Yes I do, I wish I were dead and out of it all!"
"Nonsense--rubbish!"
"You'll be sorry when I am dead!"
He stretched out a plump hand and laid it on her shoulder.
"Go away, James!"
"Oh, all right! Joan, look after your mother, she don't seem well." He
left the room, and they heard the front door bang after him.