"Serious?"
"Yes. Do you remember what I told you about that letter—the one Will made me write—I mean to John—telling him what I had done?"
"Yes, you burned it."
"I tried to lie to Will—he wouldn't have it that way. He seemed to know. He was furious."
"Did he hit you?"
"No, he made me admit that John didn't know, and then he said he'd stay here and tell him himself that I'd made him lie, and he said something about liking the other man and wanting to save him."
"Save him?" exclaimed Elfie derisively. "Shucks! He's jealous!"
"I told him if he'd only go I'd—tell John myself when he came, and now, you see, I'm waiting—and I've got to tell—and—and I don't know how to begin—and—and I thought you could help me—you seem so sort of resourceful, and it means—it means so much to me. If John turned on me now I couldn't go back to Will, and, Elfie—I don't think I'd care to—stay here any more."
"What!" exclaimed Elfie.
Impulsively, she took Laura in her arms.