“No—no—no!” Emily sobbed fiercely into her pillow. But the doubt persisted.
Aunt Ruth had no doubt. Aunt Ruth was calling on her friend, Mrs. Ball, and her friend, Mrs. Ball, had a daughter who was a Prep. Anita Ball came home with the tale that had been well laughed over in Prep and Junior and Senior classes, and Anita Ball said that Evelyn Blake had said Ilse Burnley had done the deed.
“Well,” said Aunt Ruth, invading Emily’s room on her return home, “I hear Ilse Burnley decorated you beautifully today. I hope you realise what she is now.”
“Ilse didn’t do it,” said Emily.
“Have you asked her?”
“No. I wouldn’t insult her with such a question.”
“Well, I believe she did do it. And she is not to come here again. Understand that.”
“Aunt Ruth”
“You've heard what I said, Em’ly. Ilse Burnley is no fit associate for you. I’ve heard too many tales about her lately. But this is unpardonable.”
“Aunt Ruth, if I ask Ilse if she did it and she says she did not, won’t you believe her?”
“No, I wouldn’t believe any girl brought up as Ilse Burnley was. It’s my belief she’d do anything and say anything. Don’t let me see her in my house again.”
Emily stood up and tried to summon the Murray look into a face distorted by weeping.
“Of course, Aunt Ruth,” she said coldly, “I won’t bring Ilse here if she is not welcome. But I shall go to see her. And if you forbid me—I’ll—I’ll go home to New Moon. I feel as if I wanted to go anyhow now. Only—I won’t let Evelyn Blake drive me away.”
Aunt Ruth knew quite well that the New Moon folks would not agree to a complete divorce between Emily and Ilse. They were too good friends with the doctor for that. Mrs. Dutton had never liked Dr. Burnley. She had to be content with the excuse for keeping Ilse away from her house, for which she had long hankered. Her
