Winnie was drawn up taut, cautious like a savage on a spoor.
"Perhaps Father ought to tell me all of it," she said.
"But not now! Not here! You said you knew——"
"I did know there was some reason Mamma and Papa Farley didn't get along. I knew there was a woman——"
"Yes! That miserable woman he was entangled with in that filthy affair. I don't remember whether I told you that he tried to leave Mrs. Farley and live with her. Helen—Wilson—something—Mrs. Wilson. The husband had him up as co-respondent. Then they discovered she was going to have a child." Mr. Price spoke gruffly and hurriedly in a low voice and chewed his mustache.
Winnie trembled with excitement. Mamma and Papa Farley. Laurie. She felt crafty and sure of herself. Why had Laurie never told her all of this? He did not like to have her speak of it.
"Perry, we can not! We must not! For Winnie's sake!"
"Did Papa Farley and the woman have the child, Papa?"
"Oh, Winnie," Mrs. Price protested, "how can you ask such things!"
Mr. Price, hands in pockets, rose on his toes and sucked his mustache in and out.