He gave her the contents of his father's cablegram.
"I took it for granted that you must have told him."
"I shouldn't have done that. I did—I did tell your mother, Bob—but then I couldn't help it."
He started back, releasing her hands which he had continued holding.
"What? You've seen the old lady?"
She nodded. "Yes; she sent for me to go out to Marillo Park."
"For Heaven's sake! What made her do that?"
She was aware of her opportunity. If she wanted to "get him out of it," now was her chance. She could tell him part of the truth and keep him dangling—or the whole of it and let him go. "Fairer to him—and easier for me" was the thought on which she based her decision.
"She—she wanted to thank me for—for not having taken you at your word and married you."
"Oh! So you had to tell her that you had. And what did she say to that?"