"What is all this story, Letty, that Maria has been telling me?"
"How should I know? Maria tells a great many stories."
"I mean, about what has been troubling mamma."
"Maria had no business to tell you, and so trouble you with it."
"But is it true, Letty? Anne, is it true?"
"I suppose it is true—if you mean what she heard from me a little while ago. That is true."
"And mamma has lost all her money?"
"Every cent."
"When did you know it, Anne and Letty?"
"We have known it a day or two. It is true. It is all true, Tilly."