This, it seems to me, is the time to acknowledge it." Barrington checked him with a gesture.

"Sit down, all of you.

Painful and embarrassing as it is, now we have gone so far, this affair must be elucidated.

It would be better if you told us more." Winston drew back a chair, and when Courthorne moved, the man who sat next to him laid a grasp on his arm.

"You will oblige me by not making any remarks just now," he said dryly.