Part 57 (1/2)
After dinner they sat out on the porch. It was a perfect night. The cool dusk was soothing.
Ruth broke a long silence.
”Sybil!”
”Yes, dear?”
”May I tell you something?”
”Well?”
”I'm afraid it's bad news.”
Sybil turned quickly.
”You called up the office while I was with Bailey?”
Ruth started.
”How did you know?”
”I guessed. I have been trying to do it all day, but I hadn't the pluck. Well?”
”I'm afraid things are about as bad as they can be. A Mr. Meadows spoke to me. He was very gloomy. He told me a lot of things which I couldn't follow, details of what had happened, but I understood all that was necessary, I'm afraid----”
”Bailey's ruined?” said Sybil quietly.
”Mr. Meadows seemed to think so. He may have exaggerated.”
Sybil shook her head.
”No. Bailey was talking to me upstairs. I expected it.”
There was a long silence.
”Ruth.”
”Yes?”
”I'm afraid--”
Sybil stopped.
”Yes?”
A sudden light of understanding came to Ruth. She knew what it was that Sybil was trying to say, had been trying to say ever since she spoke with Bailey.
”My money has gone, too? Is that it?”
Sybil did not answer. Ruth went quickly to her and took her in her arms.