Part 2, Chapter 17: Lying to Cecil

⁠​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌⁠He was bewildered. He had nothing to say. He was not even angry, but stood, with a glass of whiskey between his hands, trying to think what had led her to such a conclusion.

She had chosen the moment before bed, when, in accordance with their bourgeois habit, she always dispensed drinks to the men. Freddy and Mr. Floyd were sure to retire with their glasses, while Cecil invariably lingered, sipping