“No boy who has a father living can consider himself alone.”
“My father is dead!” returned Phil, growing skeptical.
“You are mistaken.”
“I am not likely to be mistaken in such a matter. My father died a few months since.”
“Your father still lives!” said the fortune-teller sharply. “Do not contradict me!”
“I don't see how you can say that. I attended his funeral.”
“You attended the funeral of the man whose name you bear. He was not your father.”
Phil was much excited by this confirmation of his step-mother's story. He had entertained serious doubts of its being true, thinking it might have been trumped up by Mrs. Brent to drive him from home, and interfere with his succession to any part of Mr. Brent's property.
“Is my step-mother's story true, then?” he asked breathlessly. “She told me I was not the son of Mr. Brent.”
“Her story was true,” said the veiled lady.