I was watching Mary from the
window when she went out to-day, and he joined her, and if I hadn't
known about him I'd have thought he had quite an interesting face."
"If you 'hadn't known about him'? Known what?"
"Oh, nothing, of course," she said, hurriedly. "Nothing definite,
that is. Mary said decidely, long ago, that he's not at all insane,
as we thought at first. It's only--well, of course it IS odd, their
attitude about him. I suppose it's some nervous trouble that makes
him--perhaps a little queer at times, so that he can't apply himself
to anything--or perhaps does odd things. But, after all, of course,
we only have an impression about it. We don't know--that is,
positively. I--" She paused, then went on: "I didn't know just
how to ask--that is--I didn't mention it to Mary. I didn't--I--"
The poor lady floundered pitifully, concluding with a mumble. "So
soon after--after the--the shock."
"I don't think I've caught more than a glimpse of him," said Mr.
Vertrees. "I wouldn't know him if I saw him, but your impression of
him is--" He broke off suddenly, springing to his feet in agitation.
"I can't imagine her--oh, NO!" he gasped.
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