“What do you mean, papa?”
“I see it now,” continued Dr. May incoherently; “the cause of his wandering life—advantages thrown aside. He! the most worthy. Things I little heeded at the time have come back on me! I understand why he banished himself!”
“Why?” asked Ethel bewildered.
“She never had an idea of it; but I might have guessed from what fell from him unconsciously, for not a word would he have said—nor did he say, to show how he sacrificed himself!”
“Who was it? Aunt Flora?” said Ethel, beginning to collect his meaning.
“No, Ethel, it was your own dear mother! You will think this another romantic fancy of mine, but I am sure of it.”
“So am I,” said Ethel.
“How—what? Ah! I remembered after we parted that he might know nothing—”
“He asked me,” said Ethel.
“And how did he bear it?”