Now, at this eleventh hour, she was not to be baulked.

Her face was flushed as with battle, her eye was brooding but inevitable.
The man came in with tea and a bottle of Kummel.

He set the tray on a little table before the couch.
'Pussum,' said Halliday, 'pour out the tea.' She did not move.
'Won't you do it ?' Halliday repeated, in a state of nervous apprehension.
'I've not come back here as it was before,' she said.

'I only came because the others wanted me to, not for your sake.' 'My dear Pussum, you know you are your own mistress.

I don't want you to do anything but use the flat for your own convenience--you know it, I've told you so many times.' She did not reply, but silently, reservedly reached for the tea-pot.
They all sat round and drank tea.