"Then for heaven's sake get at it. You've got me all clammy. We could do with a little good news. Wait a minute! Is it by any chance about the BANK?"
"No," replied Mr. Hawkes. He cleared his throat and said solemnly and impressively to Mrs. Chichester:
"It is about your LATE brother—Nathaniel Kingsnorth."
"Late!" cried Mrs. Chichester. "Is Nathaniel DEAD?"
"Yes, madam," said Hawkes gravely. "He died ten days ago."
Mrs. Chichester sat down and silently wept. Nathaniel to have died without her being with him to comfort him and arrange things with him! It was most unfortunate.
Alaric tried to feel sorry, but inasmuch as his uncle had always refused to see him he could not help thinking it may have been retribution. However, he tried to show a fair and decent measure of regret.
"Poor old Nat," he cried. "Eh, Ethel?"
"Never saw him," answered Ethel, her face and voice totally without emotion. "You say he died ten days ago?" asked Mrs. Chichester.
Mr. Hawkes bowed.