"How? Who told him?"
"I do not know. I have asked no questions. But of course it was his mother."
"She was very foolish and cruel, then," said Miss Benson, her eyes blazing, and her lips trembling, at the thought of the suffering her darling boy must have gone through.
"I think she was wise. I am sure it was not cruel. He must have soon known that there was some mystery, and it was better that it should be told him openly and quietly by his mother than by a stranger."
"How could she tell him quietly?" asked Miss Benson, still indignant.
"Well! perhaps I used the wrong word—of course no one was by—and I don't suppose even they themselves could now tell how it was told, or in what spirit it was borne."
Miss Benson was silent again.
"Was Mr Bradshaw very angry?"
"Yes, very; and justly so. I did very wrong in making that false statement at first."
"No! I am sure you did not," said Miss Faith. "Ruth has had some years of peace, in which to grow stronger and wiser, so that she can bear her shame now in a way she never could have done at first."