"No—no! Why, not once. Why, we weren't a bit like you and Ina."
She spoke simply and from her heart and without guile.
"Evidently not," Dwight said drily.
Lulu went on: "He was very good to me. This dress—and my shoes—and my hat. And another dress, too." She found the pins and took off her hat. "He liked the red wing," she said. "I wanted black—oh, Dwight! He did tell me the truth!" It was as if the red wing had abruptly borne mute witness.
Dwight's tone now mounted. His manner, it mounted too.
"Even if it is true," said he, "I desire that you should keep silent and protect my family from this scandal. I merely mention my doubts to you for your own profit."
"My own profit!"
She said no more, but rose and moved to the door.
"Lulu—you see! With Di and all!" Ina begged. "We just couldn't have this known—even if it was so."
"You have it in your hands," said Dwight, "to repay me, Lulu, for anything that you feel I may have done for you in the past. You also have it in your hands to decide whether your home here continues. That is not a pleasant position for me to find myself in. It is distinctly unpleasant, I may say. But you see for yourself."