"I don't see why you should make such a fuss about it," he said; "he was no relation of yours—you never even saw him."
A strange, questioning look came into the sister's face as she struggled to suppress her emotions.
"Why do you speak in such a strange way—have you been drinking, Rug?" she said.
"Drinking!" he exclaimed, disdainfully, "did you ever see me drunk? This is no time for drinking. Where's mother?"
"She went to comfort poor Sarah as soon as she heard of the accident," replied Chrissy.
"And why should Sarah feel so badly about it, pray? Women are the strangest mortals I ever met. Hannah is the only sensible one among them."
He threw himself on a couch and began to survey the decorations in the room, which were as pretty as womanly taste could make them.
"Come now, Chrissy, dry your tears and get me something to eat like a dear girl—do—for I am awfully hungry."
"Could you not wait a little longer? The Duke may be here at any time, and you will have no appetite left for the good dinner that I fear will be spoiled if he does not come soon."
"What are you talking about, Chrissy?" said Rug. "Did you not hear that the Duke is dead?"