Ovid was at liberty to speak.
"Do you know what you said of my cousin, just now ?" he began.
His tone seemed to surprise the doctor.

"What did I say ?" he asked.
"You used a very offensive word.

You called Carmina a 'misbegotten child.' Are you repeating some vile slander on the memory of her mother ?" Benjulia came to another standstill.

"Slander ?" he repeated--and said no more.
Ovid's anger broke out.

"Yes!" he replied.