That was a hard, a rather miserable job, getting rid of the Lulu Bains whom Hettie had made superfluous.
On the Tuesday evening after his first meeting with Hettie, when Lulu came cooing into his study, Elmer looked depressed, did not rise to welcome her. He sat at his desk, his chin moodily in his two hands.
"What is it, dear?" Lulu pleaded.
"Sit down—no, please, don't kiss me—sit down over there, dearest. We must have an earnest talk," said the Reverend Dr. Gantry.
She looked so small, so rustic, for all her new frock, as she quivered in an ugly straight chair.
"Lulu, I've got something dreadful to tell you. In spite of our carefulness, Cleo—Mrs. Gantry—is onto us. It simply breaks my heart, but we must stop seeing each other privately. Indeed—"
"Oh, Elmer, Elmer, oh, my lover, please!"
"You must be calm, dear! We must be brave and face this thing honestly. As I was saying, I'm not sure but that it might be better, with her horrible suspicions, if you didn't come to church here any more."
"But what did she say—what did she say? I hate her! I hate your wife so! Oh, I won't be hysterical but— I hate her! What did she say?"
"Well, last evening she just calmly said to me— You can imagine how surprised I was; like a bolt out of the blue! She said—my wife said, 'Well, tomorrow I suppose you'll be meeting that person that teaches cooking again, and get home as late as usual!' Well, I stalled for time, and I found that she was actually thinking of putting detectives on us!"
"Oh, my dear, my poor dear! I won't ever see you again! You mustn't be disgraced, with your wonderful fame that I've been so proud of!"
"Darling Lulu, can't you see it isn't that? Hell! I'm a man! I can face the whole kit and boodle of 'em, and tell 'em just where they get off! But it's you. Honestly, I'm afraid Floyd will kill you if he knows."
"Yes, I guess he would. . . . I don't know's I care much. It would be easier than killing myself—"
