"Nothing about Captain Bertram," she replied. "But I think this must be the old lady they lived with. 'Alicia, widow of the late Major-General Lacy,' etc., etc., 'at Market-Lilford on the 16th November, aged 69.' I am sure it is she, for Gladys's second name is 'Alicia,' and she told me it was 'after Mrs. Lacy.'"
"Poor old lady—she must have been very kind and good. That may explain 'Miss Susan's' apparent indifference. It was fully a fortnight ago, you see."
"Must I tell Gladys?" said Rosamond.
"Not yet, I think," said Auntie. "We may have worse to tell her, poor child."
"I don't know that it would be worse," said the young girl. "They can't remember their father."
"Still, they have always been looking forward to his coming. If it ends in good news, it will make them—Gladys especially—very happy."
"As for Roger, perfect happiness is already his," said Rosamond. "He asks no more than weak tea and bread-and-butter, Gladys always at hand, a good fire, and nobody to scold him."