“I am going to marry him.”
“Then he ought to know.”
“Then he ought not to know, for you have drawn me into your web of deceit also. He has talked to me about you and the book. I have not betrayed you. You cannot betray me.”
“It will kill me. I did not know it would be like this. I never blamed myself for anything before.”
“It will not kill you, and if it does, you must bear it. You must not do your husband and children such an awful harm.”
“Wilbur is nominated for Senator. He would have to give it up. He would go away from Fairbridge. He is very proud,” said Margaret in a breathless voice, “but I must tell.”
“You cannot tell.”
“The children talk of it all the time. They look at me so. They wonder because they think I have written that book. They tell all the other children. Annie, I must confess to somebody. I did not know it would be like this.”
“You cannot confess to anybody except God,” said Annie.
“I cannot tell my husband. I cannot tell poor Wilbur, but I thought Mr. von Rosen would tell him.”