Page 382 - tender-is-the-night

coffee, Mary entered their room. She was dressed and they
were not dressed, and she had the air of having been up for
some time. Her face was toughened with quiet jerky fury.
‘What is this story about Lanier having been bathed in
a dirty bath?’
Dick began to protest, but she cut through:
‘What is this story that you commanded my husband’s
sister to clean Lanier’s tub?’
She remained on her feet staring at them, as they sat
impotent as idols in their beds, weighted by their trays. To-
gether they exclaimed: ‘His SISTER!’
‘That you ordered one of his sisters to clean out a tub!’
‘We didn’t—‘ their voices rang together saying the same
thing, ‘— I spoke to the native servant—‘
‘You spoke to Hosain’s sister.’
Dick could only say: ‘I supposed they were two maids.’
‘You were told they were Himadoun.’
‘What?’ Dick got out of bed and into a robe.
‘I explained it to you at the piano night before last. Don’t
tell me you were too merry to understand.’
‘Was that what you said? I didn’t hear the beginning. I
didn’t connect the—we didn’t make any connection, Mary.
Well, all we can do is see her and apologize.’
‘See her and apologize! I explained to you that when the
oldest member of the family—when the oldest one marries,
well, the two oldest sisters consecrate themselves to being
Himadoun, to being his wife’s ladies-in-waiting.’
‘Was that why Hosain left the house last night?’
Mary hesitated; then nodded.

382 Tender is the Night