"He asked me to tell you."
Silence.
"He hopes you will not be angry. He says he is going to be a—a tremendous business man, now, because he is so happy."
Silence. Then, in a loud voice: "How long has this been going on?"
"Oh, Mamma, not any time at all, truly! I am perfectly sure it—it was on the spur of the moment."
"Married, 'on the spur of the moment'? Good God!"
"I only mean he hasn't been planning it. He—"
"And what kind of woman has married him, 'on the spur of the moment'?"
"Oh,—Mamma . . ."
Her voice was so terrified that Mrs. Maitland suddenly looked at her. "Don't be frightened, Nannie," she said kindly. "What is it? You have something more to tell me, I can see that. Come, out with it! Is she bad?"