He may have been kind to her in past years--and she may remember him thankfully.

Don't you think so ?" Alban was unable to agree with her.

"If Mrs.Rook's interest in your father was the harmless interest that you have suggested," he said, "why should she have checked herself in that unaccountable manner, when she first asked me if he was living?
The more I think of it now, the less sure I feel that she knows anything at all of your family history.

It may help me to decide, if you will tell me at what time the death of your mother took place." "So long ago," Emily replied, "that I can't even remember her death.

I was an infant at the time." "And yet Mrs.Rook asked me if your 'parents' were living! One of two things," Alban concluded.