I saw blank faces all around, and could only guess the cause, so careful were they to break it to me gradually.

For two dreadful days they kept me on the rack of suspense, while I did not know whether it was my father or mother who was dead, or whether both were ill, or only one.

But I learned all soon enough.

There had been a fever, and both were dead.

I was an orphan, quite alone in the world.
For three years after this I remained with the Miss Sweetmans, during which time I had regained much of my old cheerfulness, and also some degree of my natural pride and impertinence.