“You see, she is the daughter of Vita’s daughter who died last year,” Nora explained. “She has been living with cousins, and the man Nick, of whom she was so frightened, is the cousin’s husband.”
Lucia now seemed to shrink back, and at that sign Nora signaled the girls to leave the porch and adjourn to more convenient quarters for their confidences.
Once away from the restriction, words flew back and forth in questions and answers, until Wyn wanted to know if it was all a duet between Alma and Nora, or could they make it a chorus?
“And he didn’t beat her?” demanded Pell.
“And she is really related to Vita, not kidnapped?” asked Betta.
“You didn’t find her all bruised up——”
“Now girls,” scoffed Nora. “I know perfectly well you don’t think anything of the kind. You all know Vita was always kind and generous——”
“Whew!” whistled Wyn. “How we can change! I thought she was a regular bear this time yesterday morning.”
“I think your cousins are perfectly splendid,” said Betta, sensibly. “Is she really going to adopt the child?”
“We had a doctor this morning,” said Nora with an important air, “and he advised change of scene——”