The door opened and Barbara rushed in. Her cheeks were red, her eyes were furious. She saw her mother and stopped uncertainly, closing the door behind her.
"Mother!"
She wilted into Emma's arms and muffled her heartbroken sobs. Emma held her strongly and caressed her tenderly. Barbara drew back and plastered a handkerchief to her face.
"Oh, Mother," she sobbed. "I thought he was so wonderful! He's horrible, Mother, horrible! The things he said! And then he tried to—to—" There was a fresh burst of sobbing.
"Thank God you found out," Emma said quietly. "I've been afraid of that young man from the beginning. But I knew you'd have to discover it for yourself."
"But he was so charming, Mother, so—so charming!"
"Exactly," said Emma, dryly.
A spasm of fear crossed Barbara's face. "Mother," she whispered, "don't tell Daddy."
"Don't you want him to know, dear?"
"No! I'd be so ashamed. I should have known better. I acted like such a fool, Mother!"