‘They said—Aunt Jane and Uncle Reginald and all, and ‘that dreadful man that came—’
‘Perhaps they said you might have to be examined, but only if he is apprehended, and I fully expect that he is out of reach, so that you need not frighten yourself about that, my dear.’
‘Oh, don’t go!’ cried Dolores, as her aunt stirred.
‘No, I’m not going. I was only reaching some water for you. Let me sponge your face.’
To this Dolores submitted gratefully, and then sighed, as if under heavy oppression, ‘And did he really do it?’
‘I am afraid he must have done so.’
‘I never thought it. Mother always helped him.’
‘Yes, my dear, that made it very hard for you to know what was right to do, and this is a most terrible shock for you,’ said her aunt, feeling unable to utter another reproach just then to one who had been so loaded with blame, and she was touched the more when Dolores moaned, ‘Mother would have cared so much.’
She answered with a kiss, was glad to find her hand still held, and forgot that it was past eleven o’clock.
‘Please, will it quite ruin father?’ asked Dolores, who had not outgrown childish confusion about large sums of money.