"He is spoiled and he always thinks first of his own comfort.

I suppose it's the way we brought him up--but when he understands, he will be more considerate." For the first time Gabriella laid down her sewing and, leaning forward in her chair, fixed her eyes, with their look of deep stillness, of wistful expectancy, on the face of her mother-in-law.
"Would you mind telling me if George was ever--ever wild about women ?" she asked, and though her voice was very low and quiet, her words seemed to echo loudly through the hushed suspense in her brain.

It was as if every piece of furniture, every vacant wall, every picture, and every pane of glass, repeated the sound.
The pleasant smile on Mrs.Fowler's lips became suddenly painful.

As if she were suffering a physical hurt, she put her handkerchief to her mouth while she answered: "He was once--but that was before he fell in love with you.

We hoped that you would be able to steady him--that marriage would make him settle down." "Did he drink then ?" "A little--not enough to make him show it.