In a sense, he could justify his getting rid of Shillito, but he knew Barbara and doubted if she could be persuaded.
Still she was not a fool, and he would give her something to think about.
"It's possible my views are not important," he agreed.

"All the same, when I told the man he had better go he saw the force of my arguments.
He went, and I think his going is significant.

Since I'd sooner not quarrel, I'll leave you to weigh this." He went off, but Barbara stopped and brooded.

She was angry and humiliated, but perhaps the worst was she had a vague notion Cartwright might be justified.

It was very strange Shillito had gone.