The girl looked dazed.
"She ain't my mother?" she said, "nor that man my father? But then who am I? Where is my mother?"
"That I can't tell you. You're a child of a friend of Aunt's, but I don't know who. She didn't want you, so let Aunt have you. That's all I know."
The girl leant forward eagerly, looking up into her companion's face.
"Look at me, Jem. Look at me and say that you ain't tellin' me a lie."
The man turned and looked at her. His eyes blazed as only blue eyes can.
"Have I ever told you a lie?" he asked, "and do you think I'd be likely to tell you this one?"
"How long have you known this?" asked Meg, breathing quickly.
"For a year come this October."
The girl sprang up clenching her hands.