"My father is dead," said Edward, sitting stiffly on the edge of his chair. He could make no more than this simple statement.
"I thought he must be," Ronald answered, "but where is Nancy? Why didn't she come with you?"
He was afraid to hear the answer, but hear it he must.
"She is married. She was married yesterday."
Ronald toyed nervously with an ivory paper-cutter on his desk.
"Only yesterday," he said at last; "and when did your father die?"
"He died yesterday too."
"And who sent you to me?"
"The t'ai-t'ai."
"I understand."