Laura was obviously relieved.
"It's about Jack McKnight. When he proposes to you—"
"He won't."
"Don't be silly! He will if you let him. And I want you to let him. Then, when you turn him down, tell him why."
"Why? He'll know why! Because I'm not in love with him."
"I want you to tell him the reason you're not in love with him."
Laura, flushing to her temples, sat up in bed. "It's none of his business! Or,—or anybody's!"
"It is his business—to know that a decent woman won't look at a fast man!"
"Oh," Laura said, tumbling back on her pillow, "I didn't know you meant that. I thought you meant ... something else."
"That's what I'm up to," Frederica said. "I'm going to get all the girls I know to promise, not only that they won't play with dissipated fellows, but that they'll tell 'em straight out why they won't!"