'No children of her own?'
'No. One died. But unfortunately she has the care of two, whose mother—a cousin of hers—is dead, and whose father has run away.'
'Run away?'
'Literally. Left the children behind in a lodging-house garret to starve, or go to the workhouse, or anything else. A spirited man; independent, you see; no foolish prejudices.'
'And Mrs. Abbott has to support them?'
'No one else could take them. They live with her.'
'You didn't mention that to Mamma.'
'No. I thought it needless.'
The silence that followed was embarrassing to Harvey. He broke it by abruptly changing the subject.
'Have you practised long today?'