"Grown up!" exploded the girls. "He's not quite six!"
"He lives with Mrs. Trevellyan," explained Betty, "because he hasn't got any father or mother of his own."
"Oh, Betty, he has!" burst out Barbara.
"Well, that's the first I ever heard of them, then. I thought he was an orphan."
"He's as good as an orphan, poor little chap."
"Nobody ever mentions his father."
"Why on earth not?"
"Oh, I don't know! There's something mysterious. Mrs. Trevellyan doesn't like it talked about. Nobody dare even drop a hint to her."
"What's wrong with Ronnie's father?"