I had no idea that you knew even what had become of me since I had left my father." "I am going to explain everything by and by," he said, "but first of all I want to ask you one question.

Do you know anything about this illness of your father's?
Do you believe that it is a genuine thing, or that he has some motive of his own for keeping to his room ?" A faint smile parted Stella's lips.
"I begin to understand," she murmured.

"I must admit that I was puzzled at your sudden interest in me." "Does it need any particular reason ?" he asked, looking at her admiringly.
Stella, who was conscious of a new hat and a very becoming gown, laughed softly.
"Well, perhaps it shouldn't," she said, "but, you see, you have given yourself away.

But I may as well warn you at once that I know nothing about my father.

He has even forbidden me the house, and I have not seen him for weeks," He nodded.
"So I understood," he said.