The Well of Loneliness

Stephen's troubles had begun to be aggravated by Violet, who was always driving over to Morton, ostensibly to talk about Alec, in reality to collect information as to what might be happening at The Grange. She would stay for hours, very skilfully pumping while she dropped unwelcome hints anent Roger.

"Father's going to cut down his allowance," she declared, "if he doesn't stop hanging about that woman. Oh, I'm sorry! I always forget she's your friend -- " Then looking at Stephen with inquisitive eyes: "But I can't understand that friendship of yours; for one thing, how can you put up with Crossby? " And Stephen knew that yet once again, county gossip was rife about her.