The old man seemed now to be a little fretful, and said something more about his sorrow at their having been sent into that room.
"We are so crowded," he said, "that we hardly know how to stir ourselves."
Miss Mackenzie said it did not signify in the least. Mr Ball said nothing, but seated himself with his chin again resting on his umbrella.
"I was so sorry to see in the papers an account of your brother's death," said Mr Slow.
"Yes, Mr Slow; he has gone, and left a wife and very large family."
"I hope they are provided for, Miss Mackenzie."
"No, indeed; they are not provided for at all. My brother had not been fortunate in business."
"And yet he went into it with a large capital,—with a large capital in such a business as that."
John Ball, with his chin on the umbrella, said nothing. He said nothing, but he winced as he thought whence the capital had come. And he thought, too, of those much-meaning words: "Jonathan Ball to John Ball, junior—Deed of gift."
"He had been unfortunate," said Miss Mackenzie, in an apologetic tone.