Part 24 (1/2)

”Lulie,” she said, ”I guess you didn't notice--this one's from Ninian.”

”Mother--”

”I opened it--why, of course I did. It's from Ninian.”

Mrs. Bett held out the opened envelope, the unfolded letter, and a yellowed newspaper clipping.

”See,” said the old woman, ”says, 'Corie Waters, music hall singer--married last night to Ninian Deacon--' Say, Lulie, that must be her....”

Lulu threw out her hands.

”There!” she cried triumphantly. ”He _was_ married to her, just like he said!”

The Plows were at breakfast next morning when Lulu came in casually at the side-door. Yes, she said, she had had breakfast. She merely wanted to see them about something. Then she said nothing, but sat looking with a troubled frown at Jenny. Jenny's hair was about her neck, like the hair of a little girl, a south window poured light upon her, the fruit and honey upon the table seemed her only possible food.

”You look troubled, Lulu,” Mrs. Plow said. ”Is it about getting work?”

”No,” said Lulu, ”no. I've been places to ask--quite a lot of places. I guess the bakery is going to let me make cake.”

”I knew it would come to you,” Mrs. Plow said, and Lulu thought that this was a strange way to speak, when she herself had gone after the cakes. But she kept on looking about the room. It was so bright and quiet. As she came in, Mr. Plow had been reading from a book. Dwight never read from a book at table.

”I wish----” said Lulu, as she looked at them. But she did not know what she wished. Certainly it was for no moral excellence, for she perceived none.

”What is it, Lulu?” Mr. Plow asked, and he was bright and quiet too, Lulu thought.

”Well,” said Lulu, ”it's not much. But I wanted Jenny to tell me about last night.”

”Last night?”

”Yes. Would you----” Hesitation was her only way of apology. ”Where did you go?” She turned to Jenny.

Jenny looked up in her clear and ardent fas.h.i.+on: ”We went across the river and carried supper and then we came home.”

”What time did you get home?”

”Oh, it was still light. Long before eight, it was.”

Lulu hesitated and flushed, asked how long Di and Bobby had stayed there at Jenny's; whereupon she heard that Di had to be home early on account of Mr. Cornish, so that she and Bobby had not stayed at all. To which Lulu said an ”of course,” but first she stared at Jenny and so impaired the strength of her a.s.sent. Almost at once she rose to go.

”Nothing else?” said Mrs. Plow, catching that look of hers.

Lulu wanted to say: ”My husband _was_ married before, just as he said he was.” But she said nothing more, and went home. There she put it to Di, and with her terrible bluntness reviewed to Di the testimony.

”You were not with Jenny after eight o'clock. Where were you?” Lulu spoke formally and her rehearsals were evident.

Di said: ”When mamma comes home, I'll tell her.”

With this Lulu had no idea how to deal, and merely looked at her helplessly. Mrs. Bett, who was lacing her shoes, now said casually:

”No need to wait till then. Her and Bobby were out in the side yard sitting in the hammock till all hours.”