"Because I did, the instant I saw that infernal cad."
She pursed her lips. It was hard for her to surrender.
"Out with it, Elsie," I commanded. "You know you've been wrong about that poor little girl. I can tell by the look in your eyes that you have switched over completely in the last four days, and so has Betty Billy."
"I can't forgive her for marrying him in the first place," she said stubbornly. "But I think she was justified in leaving him. As I know him now, I don't see how she endured it as long as she did. Yes, I am sorry for her. She is a dear girl and she has had a—a—"
"I'll say it, my dear: a hell of a time."
"Thank you." "And I daresay you now think she did right in taking the child, too," I persisted.
"I—I hope she gets safely away with little Rosemary, back to God's country as we are prone to call it. Oh, by the way, John, I don't see why I should feel bound to keep that wretch's secret any longer. He has treated us like dogs. He doesn't deserve—"
"Hold on! You're not thinking of telling me his name, are you?"
"Don't you want to know it? Don't you care to hear that you've been entertaining the most talked of, the most interesting—"
"No, I don't!"