He stood and looked in surprise from one to the other. There was evidently something more than an afternoon call going on.
Nellie greeted his coming almost gladly.
"Ah, you are here? Then I can tell you. I can't bear it any longer. O Dale, I didn't know you had told her. Indeed I didn't, or I would never have done it;" and, carried away by her emotion, she fell on her knees before him.
"Why, Nellie, what in the world's the matter?"
"I have been wicked," she went on quickly, clinging to his hand. "I have deceived you. I have told you lies. Oh, how wicked I have been!"
Dale looked inquiringly at Janet, but she shook her head in bewilderment.
"Well, Nellie, let's sit down quietly and hear the villainy. What is it?"
She refused to let him raise her, and went on, as she was, on her knees.
"I didn't mean it at first. I didn't think of it, but when I found you all thought it, and—and you were pleased, Dale, I couldn't help it."
Dale saw the only chance of arriving at the truth was not to interrupt. He signed to Janet to keep silence.