As she met his look, some power seemed to go from Lulu.  She sat down, looked weakly at them, and within her closed lips her jaw was slightly fallen.  She said nothing.  And seeing on her skirt a spot of dust she began to rub at that.

“Why, Dwight!” Ina cried, and moved to her sister’s side.

“I may as well tell you,” he said, “that I myself have no idea that Ninian told you the truth.  He was always imagining things—­you saw that.  I know him pretty well—­have been more or less in touch with him the whole time.  In short, I haven’t the least idea he was ever married before.”

Lulu continued to rub at her skirt.

“I never thought of that,” she said.

“Look here,” Dwight went on persuasively, “hadn’t you and he had some little tiff when he told you?”

“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.”

Lulu went on, into the passage.

“Wasn’t she married when she thought she was?” Mrs. Bett cried shrilly.

“Mamma,” said Ina.  “Do, please, remember Monona.  Yes—­Dwight thinks she’s married all right now—­and that it’s all right, all the time.”

“Well, I hope so, for pity sakes,” said Mrs. Bett, and left the room with her daughter.

Hearing the stir, Monona upstairs lifted her voice: 

“Mamma!  Come on and hear my prayers, why don’t you?”

* * * * *

When they came downstairs next morning, Lulu had breakfast ready.

“Well!” cried Ina in her curving tone, “if this isn’t like old times.”

Lulu said yes, that it was like old times, and brought the bacon to the table.

“Lulu’s the only one in this house can cook the bacon so’s it’ll chew,” Mrs. Bett volunteered.  She was wholly affable, and held contentedly to Ina’s last word that Dwight thought now it was all right.