"No harm, child. But oh dear!... Good-evening, Herman; good-evening, Lotje."
It was Uncle and Aunt Ruyvenaer, with their girls following behind. And Constance saw a look of pity in their eyes.
"I say, Constance...." whispered Aunt Lot.
"Yes, Auntie?"
"Does Mamma know about that hor-r-rid article?"
Constance turned pale:
"I don't think so, Auntie."
"But your sister Dorine must know...."
Aunt Ruyvenaer beckoned to Dorine, who was very fidgety:
"I say, Dorine, does Mamma know about that hor-r-rid article?"