"The news is about your uncle," went on Mark. "Perhaps you have not heard that he is married."
"No, I had not heard," murmured Miss Davis; and she looked as if this indeed was a terrible blow to her. Hetty was immediately annoyed at her and disappointed in her. Was Mark right in his estimate of her character? Hetty had thought her a wonder of high-mindedness and independence of spirit, if very formal and cold. Was she now going to be proved mercenary and mean?
"Your mother did not write to you about it, fearing it would be a disappointment to you."
"My uncle has a right to do as he pleases," said Miss Davis, "and I hope he will be happy"; but her lips were trembling and she looked pained and anxious. "I thank you very much for your trouble in coming to tell me. I daresay my mother will write immediately."
Now Mark was not satisfied with the result of his trick. He had hoped that Miss Davis would have got very angry, and have said some amusing things. Her quiet dignity disappointed him, and with an impulse of wild boyish mischief he resolved to try if he could not startle her.
"I am sorry to say I have not told you everything," he blurted out suddenly. "I ought to prepare you for the worst, but I don't know how."
"Speak, I beg of you," faltered Miss Davis.
"Your uncle is dead, and has left all his fortune, every penny, to his wife."
A look came over Miss Davis's face which the children could not understand.
"My brother!" she said, "can you tell me what has become of my little brother?"