Robert felt at times a vague, strange uneasiness.

It seemed so odd that his mother should send them away, and that so many days should elapse without hearing from her.

It was not at all like her; but he was so free and so happy in his new existence, that he did not allow it to trouble him.
One day a wandering hunter from Jamestown came by the house where Robert was playing with his cousins and called to him: "Ho! master Robert, I have news for you," he called to the lad.
"William Stump, when did you come ?" he asked.
"But this day," was the answer.
"Where are you from ?" "Jamestown, and, by the mass! my young gay cavalier, I have news for you.

Marry! have you not heard it already ?" "I have heard nothing." "Your mother hath married," cried Stump with fiendish chuckle.
"It is false!" cried Robert.
"By the mass! it is true, my young cavalier," and Stump laughed at the expression of misery which came over the young face.

"It was a gay notion to send you brats away until the ceremony was over.