The defiance in his tone was for Adelaide.
"The engagement is to be announced as soon as I get back." Mrs.Whitney was called away, and Ross tried to write to Theresa.

But the words wouldn't come.

He wandered restlessly about the room, ordered the electric, went to the Country Club.

After an hour of bitterness, he called up his mother.

"You needn't send that note we were talking about just yet," he said.
"But I've already sent it," his mother answered.