Eleanor saved Bee from having to reply to that. "He was, Simon. Of course he was. He was your twin."
"If I ran away for years and years, would you believe I was me, Jane?" Ruth asked.
"You wouldn't stay away for years and years, anyhow," Jane said.
"What makes you think I wouldn't?"
"You'd come home in no time at all."
"Why would I come home?"
"To see how everyone was taking your running away."
"When is he coming, Aunt Bee?" Eleanor asked.
"On Tuesday. At least that is what we had arranged. But if you would like to put it off a little-until you grow more used to the idea, I mean…." She glanced at Simon, who was looking sick and baffled. In her most apprehensive moments she had never pictured a reaction as serious as this.
"If you flatter yourself that I shall grow used to the idea, you are wrong," Simon said. "It makes no difference to me when the fellow comes. As far as I'm concerned he is not Patrick and he never will be."