It was a curious thing that they neither of them thought much of Jess when they talked thus of being alone.

Jess was an enigma, a thing apart even from them.

When she was there she was loved and allowed to go her own way, when she was not there she seemed to fade into outer darkness.

A veil came down between her and her belongings.

Of course they were both very fond of her, but simple-natured people are apt to shrink from what they cannot understand, and these two were no exception to the rule.