'New York! What took him away?'
'I believe a desire to put his daughter at school. A very sensible desire.'
'To New York!' Pitt repeated. 'Why did you never mention it, mamma?'
'It never occurred to me to mention it. I did not suppose that the matter was of any great interest to you.'
Mrs. Dallas had said just a word too much. Her last sentence set Pitt to thinking.
'How long have they been gone?' he asked, after a short pause.
'Not long,' said Mr. Dallas carelessly. 'A few months, I believe.'
'A man told me you had bought the place?'
'Yes; it suited me to have it. The land is good, what there is of it.'
'But the house stands empty. What will you do with it?'