As it was, they had not learned enough at school to doubt it, and the splendor of their father's success in making money had blinded them forever to any possible difference against them.

They had no question of themselves in the social abeyance to which they had been left in New York.

They had been surprised, mystified; it was not what they had expected; there must be some mistake.
They were the victims of an accident, which would be repaired as soon as the fact of their father's wealth had got around.

They had been steadfast in their faith, through all their disappointment, that they were not only better than most people by virtue of his money, but as good as any; and they took Margaret's visit, so far as they, investigated its motive, for a sign that at last it was beginning to get around; of course, a thing could not get around in New York so quick as it could in a small place.

They were confirmed in their belief by the sensation of Mrs.Mandel when she returned to duty that afternoon, and they consulted her about going to Mrs.Horn's musicale.