Mrs. Pitkin actually turned as pale as her sallow complexion would admit.
“I am rather surprised to hear this, I admit,” she said. “Was he alone, do you know?”
“No; he had a lady and a boy with him.”
“Is it possible that Uncle Oliver has been married to some designing widow?” Mrs. Pitkin asked herself. “It is positively terrible!”
She did not dare to betray her agitation before Mrs. Vangriff, and sat on thorns till that lady saw fit to take leave. Then she turned to Alonzo and said, in a hollow voice:
“Lonny, you heard what that woman said?”
“You bet!”
“Do you think Uncle Oliver has gone and got married again?” she asked, in a hollow voice.
“I shouldn't wonder a mite, ma,” was the not consolitary reply.
“If so, what will become of us? My poor boy, I looked upon you and myself as likely to receive all of Uncle Oliver's handsome property. As it is——” and she almost broke down.