“Well, of course, Mrs. Cool, I— Hang it, it’s nothing I care to talk about.”
“It’s something I care to talk about,” Bertha said, “and you’ve got me into this mess, so it’s up to you to do what you can to get me out. Now, what information did she give out?”
“She was indiscreet.”
Bertha’s face coloured. “You talk just like a merry-go-round. And every time we come around to the place where the record starts repeating, damned if I don’t grab the brass ring and have to ride all over again. Pardon me for seeming impatient. Just keep right on. She was indiscreet. Why was she indiscreet? She gave out information. What was the information? Well, you see, she was indiscreet. Why was she indiscreet? Well, she’s good-Looking. What’s indiscreet about being good-looking? Well, there was information she gave out. Who did she give out information to? Well, she looks provocative. Anyone coming in the office would think— Go right ahead. When you start running down, perhaps you’ll say something.”
“It was what she told my mother-in-law,” Belder blurted.
Bertha’s eyes snapped with interest.
“Now we are getting somewhere. What did she tell Mrs. Goldring?”
“That I was going to compromise that Nunnely judgment as soon as I could get hold of Mabel, and that I was moving heaven and earth to find her for that reason.”
“What was wrong with that?” Bertha asked.
“Everything.”