“I would never have come in here if I had dreamed that your daughter would tell you what she has. I am in a false position. I insist that you allow me to leave.”
“You'll leave when I get to the bottom of this thing! Now, Alma, what new craziness is all this?”
“I am not resenting the word you apply to it,” she replied, facing him resolutely. “I did it—and I don't know why I did it!”
“Did what?”
“I ran away. I did it because the girls dared me to do it. I promised a man I would marry him.”
“This man, eh?”
“No. I have told you this is not the man.”
“Well, who, then?” Incredulity was mingled with her father's wrath.
“One of your trusted young gentlemen. Mr. Ralph Bradish.”
“Where did you meet him?”