Margaret was perplexed; his drinking tea with her father, who would be totally unprepared for his visitor--her mother so ill--seemed utterly out of the question; and yet, if she drew back now, it would be worse than ever--sure to drive him to the gin-shop. 
Margaret was perplexed; his drinking tea with her father, who would be totally unprepared for his visitor - her mother so ill - seemed out of the question; yet if she drew back now, it would be sure to drive him to the gin-shop. 