A gleam of hope illuminated Mrs. Lister's despair.
"Perhaps we could help," she said eagerly. "Her mother must have found her education and her clothing rather expensive. She always wears such very pretty clothes. And she takes lessons from Thomasina, and I hear—I hear she has a very fine piano. If we could do anything in a quiet way for her, I am sure Dr. Lister would be willing. I—we should be very, very glad."
"I think there is no lack of money," said Dr. Green.
Then with a promptness which indicated to Mrs. Lister a connection in his mind between the two subjects, he began to speak of Basil Everman.
"Your brother must have been a very brilliant person."
Mary Alcestis's body moved with a slight convulsive motion under the bed-covers.
"He was a dear little boy," said she. "He and Thomasina Davis and I used to play together."
"His death was a calamity," said Dr. Green. "But I needn't tell you that, for no one could value him as highly as you do, naturally. But it was a pity, a very great pity. I suppose we will have a book about him some day. Eleanor Bent might do such a piece of work when she's older. Biography is far more interesting and far harder to do well than fiction. Eleanor—"
"Did you say you were going to Baltimore?" asked Mrs. Lister faintly.
Dr. Green pulled out his watch.