“Not send word? Why, I sent to Madelaine a couple of hours ago, while you lay there insensible.”
“You sent?”
“Yes, a long telegram.”
“Uncle, what have you done?”
“What I ought to do, my child, and bade her tell her father and mother, and then go and break it gently to my brother.”
“Uncle!”
“There, there, my dear, you said I ought to put myself in your place; suppose you put yourself in mine.”
“Yes, yes, uncle, dear; I see now; I see.”
“Then try and be calm. You know how these difficulties sometimes settle themselves.”
“Not such difficulties as these, uncle. Harry! my brother! my poor brother!”