A little later Billy heard his quiet steps coming back through the hall and ascending the stairs.

She listened until from away at the top of the house she heard his door close.

Then she drew a long breath.
Ten o'clock--after ten o'clock, and Bertram not there yet! And was this what he called dinner?
Did one eat, then, till ten o'clock, when one dined with one's friends?
Billy was angry now--very angry.

She was too angry to be reasonable.
This thing that her husband had done seemed monstrous to her, smarting, as she was, under the sting of hurt pride and grieved loneliness--the state of mind into which she had worked herself.

No longer now did she wish to be gay when her husband came.