"Can you--" Madelene apparently saw her sister and Arthur for the first time.

"Good morning, Mr.Ranger.

You've come too late.

Father's out." Arthur repeated his doleful tale, convincingly now, for his hand did feel queer--as what hand would not, remembering such a touch as Madelene's, and longing to experience it again?
"Certainly," said Madelene.

"I'll do the best I can.