“I have never been there. I changed my mind when I reached Charleston.”
“How long have you been in the city?”
“About a week.”
“And never came near us. This is, indeed, unkind. In what way have we offended you?” and Mrs. Pitkin put her handkerchief to her eyes.
There were no tears in them, but she was making an attempt to touch the heart of her uncle.
“Are you aware that Rebecca Forbush is in the city?” asked the old gentleman abruptly.
“Ye-es,” answered Mrs. Pitkin, startled.
“Have you seen her?”
“Ye-es. She came here one day.”
“And how did you treat her?” asked Mr. Carter, severely. “Did you not turn the poor woman from the house, having no regard for her evident poverty? Did you not tell her that I was very angry with her, and would not hear her name mentioned?”