Come here," she said, stretching out her arms, and Kathleen went slowly.
The girl pulled her head down, linking both arms around her neck: "You darling, can you ever guess what miracle happened to me yesterday ?" "No....

What ?" "I promised to marry Duane Mallett!" There was no reply.

The girl clung to her excitedly, burying her face against Kathleen's cheek, then released her with a laugh, and saw her face--saw the sorrowful amazement in it, the pain.
"Kathleen!" she exclaimed, startled, "what is the matter ?" Mrs.Severn dropped down on the bed's edge, her hands loosely clasped.
Geraldine's brown eyes searched hers in hurt astonishment.
"Aren't you glad for me, Kathleen?
What is it?
Why do you--" And all at once she divined, and the hot colour stained her from brow to throat.
Kathleen bent forward swiftly and caught her in her arms with a smothered cry; but the girl freed herself and leaned back, breathing fast.
"Duane knows about me," she said.

"I told him." "He knew before you told him, my darling." Another wave of scarlet swept Geraldine's face.
"That is true....

He found out--last April....