“And Lucas is with you? Not Babie?”
“No, Babie is left with Mrs. Evelyn.”
“So poor little Elvira came safe home?”
“Yes, and is Mrs. Allen Brownlow. Poor child, you rescued her from a sad fate. She believed to the last you were coming with her, and she lost your note, or you would have heard from us sooner.”
Janet went on asking questions about the others. Her mother dreaded to put any, and only replied. Janet asked where they had been living, and she answered:
“In the old house, while the two Johns have been studying medicine.”
“Not Lucas?” cried Janet, sitting upright in her surprise.
“Yes, Lucas. The dear fellow gave up all his prospects in the army, because he thought it would be more helpful to me for him to take this line, and he has passed so well, Janet. He has got the silver medal, and his essay was the prize one.”
“And—” Janet stood up and walked to the window, as she said “and you have told him—”
“Yes. But, Janet, it was too late. Some hints of your father’s had been followed up, and the main discovery worked out, though not perfected.”