Mr. Whittaker knew this, and he interrupted with:

“Thank you, Dimple⁠—I thoroughly agree with you⁠—but I don’t think you go nearly far enough.” He stood up, looking very severely at Mrs. Vincent. “I think it’s disgusting to say such things about a man⁠—especially about a man like Egerton. I think we ought to get home now, Dorothy. Good night, Mrs. Petway.”

Mrs. Petway spluttered feebly, but was unable to utter. The Whittakers departed, trailing clouds of anger.

Mrs. Vincent assumed an air of injury.