May.”
Mr. Churchill’s clear bronzed complexion flushed darkly as he read this letter and comprehended its meaning.
“What do you think of that?” he asked, handing it to his wife.
Then Mrs. Churchill read the letter fully, and her clear skin also flushed as she did so.
“She has run away with someone,” she said, as she finished the letter. “She tried to put the blame on me, but that is an excuse—she has gone with some lover.”
“She has no lover that I know of but young Henderson,” replied Mr. Churchill, somewhat hoarsely. He was terribly upset by May’s letter, remembering the words which he himself had used to his young daughter, and to which she had referred.
“She was sure to have lovers,” continued Mrs. Churchill. “You may not know of them. Who can tell? It may be someone beneath her.”
“You don’t know May when you say that!” said Mr. Churchill, angrily. “May is a thorough little lady whatever she is. She would not look at anyone beneath her.”
“Yet such things have been.”
“May would do nothing of the sort; I know that,” positively asserted her father. “And how do we know that she has gone away with anyone? Most likely gone on some wild-goose chase because she could not get on with you.”