Bab - A Sub Deb
Page 74It seemed but a few moments later that I heard a scream, and opening my
eyes, saw Leila in the doorway. She screamed again, and mother came and
stood beside her. Although very drowsy, I saw that they still wore their
dinner clothes.
They stared as if transfixed, and then mother gave a low moan, and said
to Sis: "That unfortunate man has been in Jail all night."
And Sis said: "Jane Raleigh is crazy. That's all." Then they looked at
me, and mother burst into tears. But Sis said: "You little imp! Don't tell me you've been in that bed all night. I KNOW
BETTER."
would be.
"If that's the way you feel I shall tell you nothing," I said wearily.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" mother said, in a slow and dreadful voice.
Well, I saw then that a part of the Truth must be disclosed, especialy
since she has for some time considered sending me to a convent, although
without cause, and has not done so for fear of my taking the veil. So I
told her this. I said: "I spent the night shut in a clothes closet, but where is not my secret.
I cannot tell you."
"It is not my secret alone, mother."
She caught at the foot of the bed.
"Who was shut with you in that closet?" she demanded in a shaking voice.
"Barbara, there is another wreched Man in all this. It could not have
been Mr. Beecher, because he has been in the Station House all night."
I sat up, leaning on one elbow, and looked at her ernestly.
"Mother" I said, "you have done enough damage, interfering with
Careers--not only mine, but another's imperiled now by not haveing a
and intence fiber--"that I have done nothing to be ashamed of, although
unconventional."
Mother put her hands to her Face, and emited a low, despairing cry.
"Come," Leila said to her, as to a troubled child. "Come, and Hannah can
use the vibrater on your spine."
So she went, but before she left she said: "Barbara, if you will only promise to be a good girl, and give us a
chance to live this Scandle down, I will give you anything you ask for."