Well, what of that?
It was characteristic of her energetic mind that past mistakes were dismissed as soon as they were discovered.

When one started out in life knowing nothing, one had to learn as best one could, that was all! Every day was a new one, so why bother about yesterday?
There was trouble enough in the world as it was, without dragging back what was over.
"Please tell me what it is," she said impatiently.
He looked at her with curious intentness.

"It is about an aunt of yours--Mrs.Green.

I met her when I was in California." Her surprise was so complete that he must have been gratified.
"An aunt of mine?
I haven't any aunt." For a minute he hesitated.

Now that he had come to practical matters his careless jocularity had given place to a manner of serious deliberation.
"Then your father hasn't told you ?" he asked.
"Is she his sister ?" Her distrust of Gershom was so strong that she could not bring herself to a direct reply.
"So he hasn't ?" After all she might as well have answered his question.
"No, she isn't his sister." His smile was full of meaning.
"Then she must be"-- there was a change in her voice which he was quick to detect--"she must be the sister of my mother." "Didn't you know that she had one ?" he enquired.