They burned higher at the tone of patronage, but Eliza, weakened from mourning and lack of food, felt her knees trembling and sank into the nearest chair.
Mrs. Fabian, genuinely touched by the ravages she saw, broke the silence that followed.
"I was greatly surprised and shocked to hear of Aunt Mary's sudden going."
She began to feel uncomfortable under the set gaze of Eliza's swollen eyes.
"I suppose you sent to my house at once, and found that Mr. Fabian and I were in the far West."
"No, I didn't think of sending," returned Eliza.
"You should have done so. Surely there was no one nearer to Aunt Mary than I."
"It was in the paper," said Eliza dully.
"Had I been here I should, of course, have taken charge of the funeral."