“Mr. Rutherford of the Hall was a good friend to father once,” said Marian.
“We never see him now. Father took to snubbing everybody—and Mr. Rutherford is busy man. He wasn’t likely to come after people who didn’t give him a welcome. He did bring his wife once, and I believe Hannah was downright rude.”
“And he so good to William,” said Marian, sorrowfully.
“That’s just it, Polly. He knew too much of William’s conduct.”
“Who did Mr. Rutherford marry? Has he any children?” asked Marian, her face turned slightly away.
“I don’t know anything about Mrs. Rutherford. They have two daughters—at least I have seen two young ladies riding with Mr. Rutherford. Now I think of it, somebody once told me that the eldest wasn’t his own—a niece, or a friend’s child, I believe. She’s a fine-looking, handsome girl.”
“Dark or fair?”
“Dark not a bit like Mr. Rutherford or his family. Why, Polly, you seem to care a great deal about the Hall people.”
“They have to do with my young days—or at least he had,” Marian made answer.