"There isn't much more. Your mother was quite hysterical and—noisy. To-day a lawyer came to see me. He offers to settle the whole matter, but I prefer dealing directly with you."
"Do you think I knew anything about it?" she cried, indignantly.
"No, I do NOT think so now. Yesterday I was too much surprised and too angry to know just what I did think. It's perfectly true, however, that I was to blame for the unfortunate outcome of the ride, and I want to make amends for any injury—"
"Weren't you injured, too, by the publicity?"
Merkle showed his teeth in a mirthless smile.
"That's neither here nor there."
"Please—leave me, and—let me think this over. I must do something quickly, or—I'll smother."
"I'm glad I came," said he, rising. "I'm glad I made sure."
"So am I. What you have told me has made a great difference in—everything. Don't allow them to—" She hesitated and her voice broke. "I can't say it. Y-you must think I'm—unspeakable."
He shook his head gravely. "No, I merely think you are very unfortunate. I think you need help more than any girl I ever knew."