No. After inquiries for Armine, his aunt said she was very sorry, but now he was better she thought his mother ought to know the truth.
“What—?” asked Caroline, startled; and Jessie, the only other person in the room, put down her work, and listened with a strange air of determination.
“My dear, I am afraid it is very painful.”
“Tell me at once, Ellen.”
“I can’t think how he learnt it. But they have been about with all sorts of odd people.”
“Who? What, Ellen? Are you accusing my boy?” said Caroline, her limbs beginning to tremble and her eyes to flash, though she spoke as quietly as she could.
“Now do compose yourself, my dear. I dare say the poor little fellow knew no better, and he has had a severe lesson.”
“If you would only tell me, Ellen.”
“It seems,” said Ellen, with much regret and commiseration, “that all this was from poor little Armine using such shocking language that Rob, as a senior boy, you know, put him under the pump at last to put a stop to it.”
Before Caroline’s fierce, incredulous indignation had found a word, Jessie had exclaimed “Mamma!” in a tone of strong remonstrance; then, “Never mind, Aunt Carey, I know it is only Mrs. Coffinkey, and Johnny promised he would tell the whole story if any one brought that horrid nonsense to you about poor little Armine.”