Tudor tramped up to the hearth, looking very square and resolute.  “I’ve come from the schoolroom,” he said, “where I went to take a look at Jeanie.  But I found Gracie required more of my attention than she did.  Are you absolutely mad, I wonder, to inflict corporal punishment upon a highly-strung child like that?  Let me tell you this!  You’ll turn her into a senseless idiot if you persist!  The child is nearly crazed with terror as it is.  I’ve told them to put her to bed, and I’m going up to give her a soothing draught directly.”

Mr. Lorimer rose with dignity.  “You somewhat magnify your office, doctor,” he said.

“No, I don’t!” said Tudor rudely.  “I do what I must.  And I warn you that child is wrought up to a highly dangerous pitch of excitement.  You don’t want her to have brain-fever, I suppose?”

“Pooh!” said Mr. Lorimer.

Tudor stamped a furious foot, and let himself go.  He had no scruples about losing his temper at that moment.  He poured forth his indignation in a perfect tornado of righteous anger.

“That’s all you have to say, is it?  You—­a man of God, so-called—­killing your wife by inches and not caring a damn what suffering you cause!  I tell you, she has been at death’s door all day, thanks to your infernal behaviour.  She may die yet, and you will be directly responsible.  You’ve crushed her systematically, body and soul.  As to the children, if you touch that little girl again—­or any of ’em—­I’ll haul you before the Bench for cruelty.  Do you hear that?”

Mr. Lorimer, who had been waving a protesting hand throughout this vigorous denunciation, here interposed a lofty:  “Sir!  You forget yourself!”

“Not I!” flung back Tudor.  “I know very well what I’m about.  I spoke to you once before about your wife, and you wouldn’t listen.  But—­by Heaven—­you shall listen this time, and hear the straight truth for once.  Her life has been a perpetual martyrdom for years.  You’ve tortured her through the children as cruelly as any victim was ever tortured on the rack.  But it’s got to stop now.  I don’t deal in empty threats.  What I’ve said I shall stick to.  You may be the Vicar of the parish, but you’re under the same law as the poorest of ’em.  And if anything more of this kind happens, you shall feel the law.  And a pretty scandal it’ll make.”

He paused a moment, but Mr. Lorimer stood in frozen silence; and almost immediately he plunged on.

“Now as regards Mrs. Denys; I heard you give her notice just now.  That must be taken back—­if she will consent to stay.  For Mrs. Lorimer literally can’t do without her yet.  Mrs. Lorimer will be an invalid for some time to come, if not for good and all.  And who is going to take charge of the house if you kick out the only capable person it contains?  Who is going to look after your precious comfort, not to mention that of your wife and children?  I tell you Mrs. Denys is absolutely indispensable to you all for the present.  If you part with her, you part with every shred of ease and domestic peace you have.  And you will have to keep a properly qualified nurse to look after your wife.  And it isn’t every nurse that is a blessing in the home, I can assure you.”