“No, indeed. But I could not do it justice. I promise to keep you awake to-night though, for I must consult you about a matter of importance.”
“What is it about?”
“It is about Susie Dykes.”
“She does look ill, I think, and she has been so silent and moody lately. You don’t think she has anything serious the matter with her, do you?”
“Yes, serious enough. It is strange you have not guessed.”
“What!” exclaimed Mrs. Forest, a sudden light breaking into her mind. “You don’t mean to say——”
“Yes, just that,” interrupted the doctor, “and the agony of the poor girl is dreadful. What is worse, Dan has put it out of his power to save her from disgrace.”
“Dan!” exclaimed Mrs. Forest, in great disgust. “I don’t believe he knows anything about it. The shameless thing! No doubt——”
“Now! now! Don’t go off at half-cock. He admits it all—did so in my study last night, where he said he would rather die than marry Susie.”
“Oh, Heaven! How dreadful for Dan!”