Page:The wheels of chance -- a bicycling idyll.djvu/322

Rh given Mrs. Milton by this inexplicable flight of yours. We can only put things down at present, in charity, to your ignorance—"

"You have to consider the general body of opinion, too," said Widgery.

"Precisely," said Miss Mergle. "There is no such thing as conduct in the absolute."

"If once this most unfortunate business gets about," said the clergyman, "it will do you infinite harm."

"But I've done nothing wrong. Why should I be responsible for other people's—"

"The world has no charity," said Mrs. Milton.

"For a girl, " said Jessie. "No."

"Now do let us stop arguing, my dear young lady, and let us listen to reason. Never mind how or why, this conduct of yours will do you infinite harm, if once it is generally known. And not only that, it will cause infinite pain to those who care for you. But if you will return at once to your home, causing it to be understood that you have been with friends for these last few days—"

"Tell lies," said Jessie.

"Certainly not. Most certainly not. But I understand that is how your absence is understood at present, and there is no reason—"

Jessie's grip tightened on her handkerchief. "I