"Well?" she said, after a pause. Something in her bearing caused his spirits to continue their downward course. Her brow was furrowed with a somber portent.
"Yes'm," he said, nervously, quite like a small schoolboy whose eyes are fixed upon the sunshine outside.
"I've heard the truth."
"Yes'm," he repeated, vaguely.
"Needless to say I'm crushed,"
Bernie slowly whitened as the meaning of his sister's words sank in. He seemed to melt, to settle together, and his eyes filled with a strange, hunted expression.
"What are you talking about?" he demanded, thickly.
"You know, very well."
"Do I?"
She nodded her head.