"To some place where she may earn her own living, or, perhaps, to the House of Correction. She sadly needs discipline," is the instant reply.
Leslie Noble's face turns from white to red, and from red to white again. What he has heard has utterly dismayed him.
"I wish that I had known all this yesterday, or last night," he mutters, weakly.
"Why?" Mrs. Cleveland asks, startled by the dejected tone.
Leslie Noble looks from her to Ivy, who has started into a sitting posture, and fixed her blue eyes on his face.
"Because I have something shocking to tell you," he answers, growing very pale. "You must not be angry with me, Mrs. Cleveland, nor you, Ivy. It would not have happened if I had known all that I know now."
"Oh, what can you mean?" screams Ivy, startled into speech by her vague fear.
"You remember that I declined the Riverton's ball last night on the score of a violent headache?" he says, looking gravely at her.
"Yes, and I missed you so much. I did not enjoy the ball one bit," she murmurs, sentimentally.