She had decided in advance that it would not do to beat about the bush, so to speak; she would come directly to the obnoxious point.
They were in Mrs.Odell-Carney's sitting-room.

Mr.Odell-Carney was smoking a cigaret on the balcony, just outside the window.

Mrs.Rodney did not know that he was there.

It is only natural that he held himself inhospitably aloof: Mrs.Rodney bored him to death.

He did not hear all that was poured out between them, but he heard quite enough to cause him something of a pang.