What do you mean ?" replied Alfred.
Mamma yawned again.
"How drowsy one does feel here! I am so sleepy! What was I saying?
Oh I remember.

Perhaps, however, Mr.Beacon doesn't know.

That is probably the reason.

He doesn't know.

Well, in that case it is not so extraordinary.
But I should think he must have seen, or inferred, or heard.