Dick put his head on one side and whistled softly. He knew the general tenor of that cause celebre.
Mr. Hazlewood raised remonstrating hands.
"There! You are like the rest, Richard. You take the worst view. Here is a good woman maligned and slandered. There is nothing against her. She was acquitted in open trial by a jury of responsible citizens under a judge of the Highest Court in India. Yet she is left alone—like a leper. She is the victim of gossip and such gossip. Richard," said the old man solemnly, "for uncharitableness, ill-nature and stupid malice the gossip of a Sussex village leaves the most deplorable efforts of Voltaire and Swift entirely behind."
"Father, you are going it," said Dick with a chuckle. "Do you mean to give me a step-mother?"
"I do not, Richard. Such a monstrous idea never entered my thoughts. But, my boy, I have called upon her."
"Oh, you have!"
"Yes. I have seen her too. I left a card. She left one upon me. I called again. I was fortunate."
"She was in?"
"She gave me tea, Richard."
Richard cocked his head on one side.