‘Yes,’ said Mr. Babb, settling himself on a chair; then finding he had sat on the tails of his coat, he rose, held a tail in each hand, and reseated himself between them; ‘yes.’
‘Do you mean seriously to tell me that Mr. Jordan’s second wife was my sister?’
‘Well—in a way. That is, I don’t mean your sister in a way, but his wife in a way.’
‘I have heard nothing of this; what do you mean?’
‘I mean that he did not marry her.’
Jasper Babb’s face darkened. ‘I have been in his house and spoken to him, and not known that. What became of my sister?’
The old man fidgeted on his chair. It was not comfortable. ‘I’m sure I don’t know,’ he said.
‘Did she die?’
‘No,’ said Mr. Babb, ‘she ran off with a play-actor.’
‘Well—and after that?’