A girl called Mary Ann comes in three times a day to wait on her--and her daughter comes when she can but her trouble has made her almost wander in her mind.

It's because they are _all_ gone.

When she comes in she forgets everything and sits and says over and over again, 'If it had only been Tom--or only Tom and Will--or if it had been Jem--or only Jem and Tom--but it's Will--and Jem--and Tom,'-- over and over again.

I am not at all sure I know how to comfort people.

But she was glad I came." When Lord Coombe came in to make his daily visit he looked rigid indeed--as if he were stiff and cold though it was not a cold night.
He sat down by the Duchess and took a telegram from his pocket.