Piper had got drunk the very first day he had been in his new situation.

While drunk he had tried to kiss a virtuous young housemaid.
There had been a regular scene, which had ended in the lady of the house being sent for.

There and then Piper had been turned out neck and crop.
It was not only a justifiably angry letter, it was a very disagreeable letter, the writer saying plainly that Mrs.Crofton had been very much to blame for recommending such a man....
Feeling very much disturbed she turned and came back towards her two visitors.

They were now deep in talk, having evidently found a host of common associations: "I find I ought to answer one of my letters at once," she said.

"Will you forgive me for a few moments ?" They both looked up, and smiled at her.