“But I love him, Mother. And I am sure he loves me. It doesn’t seem possible he would do such a thing without a word of explanation.”
“He will explain, never fear,” Mrs. Kippenberg said grimly. “But now, we must think what has to be done. The guests must be told.”
“Oh, Mother!” Sylvia went into another paroxysm of crying.
“There is no other way, my dear. Leave everything to me.”
Before Penny realized that the interview had ended, Mrs. Kippenberg stepped out into the hall. Her eyes focused hard upon the girl.
“You are a reporter!” she accused harshly. “I remember, you were with that photographer!”
“Please—” began Penny.
“I’ll tell you nothing,” the woman cried. “How dare you intrude in my home and go about listening at bedroom doors!”
“Mrs. Kippenberg, if only you will calm yourself, I may be able to help you.”
“Help me?” the woman demanded. “What do you mean?”