"And, when you think of what the Van Naghels used to be.... Such big people!"
"And now...."
"Absolute nobodies...."
"Oh, I think they're rather nice people!..."
"Yes, but they're all a bit touched, you know."
"Well, suppose we go to Scheveningen?..."
"Yes, let's go to Scheveningen. We may hear there what's happened...."
"Yes ... about Emilie, you know...."
And Mrs. van Lowe's neighbours went off to Scheveningen, with the express object of hearing what had happened about Emilie....
Old Mrs. van Lowe was sitting in the conservatory, with the windows open, and crying gently, like one who was too old to cry violently, whatever the sorrow might be. Uncle Herman, Aunt Lot, all the children had come in gradually, their faces blank with utter dismay; and they were moving like ghosts about the large, dark rooms, where no one had thought of having the gas lit.