’Upon my word, I see no reason against it!  That’s how I should deal with a man who talked about me in this way, and none the less if he were a puny creature quite unable to protect himself.  In that furious scene before we got Tom away I felt most terribly tempted to beat her.  There’s a great deal to be said for woman-beating.  I am quite sure that many a labouring man who pommels his wife is doing exactly the right thing; no other measure would have the least result.  You see what comes of impunity.  If this woman saw the possibility that I should give her a public caning she would be far more careful how she behaved herself.  Let us ask Miss Nunn’s opinion.’

Rhoda had that moment entered the room.  She offered her hand frankly, and asked what the subject was.

‘Glance over this letter,’ said Barfoot.  ’Oh, you have seen it.  I propose to get a light, supple, dandyish cane, and to give Mrs. Thomas Barfoot half a dozen smart cuts across the back in her own drawing-room, some afternoon when people were present.  What have you to say to it?’

He spoke with such show of angry seriousness that Rhoda paused before replying.

‘I sympathized with you,’ she said at length, ’but I don’t think I would go to that extremity.’

Everard repeated the argument he had used to his cousin.

‘You are quite right,’ Rhoda assented.  ’I think many women deserve to be beaten, and ought to be beaten.  But public Opinion would be so much against you.’

‘What do I care?  So is public opinion against you.’

’Very well.  Do as you like.  Miss Barfoot and I will come to the police court and give strong evidence in your favour.’

‘Now there’s a woman!’ exclaimed Everard, not all in jest, for Rhoda’s appearance had made his nerves thrill and his pulse beat.  ’Look at her, Mary.  Do you wonder that I would walk the diameter of the globe to win her love?’

Rhoda flushed scarlet, and Miss Barfoot was much embarrassed.  Neither could have anticipated such an utterance as this.  ’That’s the simple truth,’ went on Everard recklessly, ’and she knows it, and yet won’t listen to me.  Well, good-bye to you both!  Now that I have so grossly misbehaved myself, she has a good excuse for refusing even to enter the room when I am here.  But do speak a word for me whilst I am away, Mary.’

He shook hands with them, scarcely looking at their faces, and abruptly departed.

The women stood for a moments at a distance from each other.  Then Miss Barfoot glanced at her friend and laughed.

‘Really my poor cousin is not very discreet.’

‘Anything but,’ Rhoda answered, resting on the back of a chair, her eyes cast down.  ’Do you think he will really cane his sister-in-law?’

‘How can you ask such a question?’

‘It would be amusing.  I should think better of him for it.’

’Well, make it a condition.  We know the story of the lady and her glove.  I can see you sympathize with her.’