He had not thought of going to the station to meet Aunt Maria, but when the cab stopped before the house he hurried out at once.

Aunt Maria was dressed wholly in black--a black mohair, a little black silk cape, and a black bonnet, from which nodded a jetted tuft.

"How is she ?" Maria heard her say, in a hushed voice, to her father.

Maria stood in the door.

Maria heard her father say something in a hushed tone about an operation.
Aunt Maria came up the steps with her travelling-bag.