On her bed was laid out her best summer dress. "Where are you going?" I asked. "Nowhere." She blew her nose. "I've got to marry Jon." I stood rooted in my place. My head whirled, worse than when I'd been on the cotton mill roof. "Jon?" I repeated the name like the village idiot. "Jon? Why?" "Because he went and told Teddy he's the father of my child." "Jon did that?" For a moment I had doubt. I counted the weeks. "Viola, he isn't, is he?" "Of course not," she snapped. "You think I'd cohabitate with that low-down reprobate? He'd do anything to be part of this family. It's all he's ever wanted. He told me so." I wasn't sure what cohabitate meant, but it sounded like it covered the situation. "Then why marry him?" I asked. "Because I've got to do the right thing and save the family name. Do you realize what a disgrace I'll be, walking around pregnant with no husband?" "Why don't you tell Teddy you're already married?" "Because Colonel and Mrs. Cummack have money and I don't want them to think that I want it for my baby." "You have a marriage license." "Yes, but the Cummacks will still think I'm after their money." "When are you getting married?" "Tomorrow evening.
