But honestly I didn't believe that.

Hardly any of us girls at the Martha did.

But Fred--" Just then the telephone rang again, and Jack had to go in and report the present extent of the fire, and tell just where and just how fast it was spreading, and what was the direction of the wind.

The interruption steadied him, gave him time to think.
Since the girl knew him, and knew the circumstances of his flight, and since the boys had turned on him, Jack argued with himself that he might just as well tell her what little there was to tell.

There was nothing to be gained by trying to keep the thing a secret from her.
Besides, he craved sympathy, though he did not admit it.