Not that she cared what he did, but till he came back she felt she did not know the full extent of the forces arrayed against her at Maxfield; and she wanted to know the worst.

Besides, although Roger was diligently prosecuting his art studies and displaying the most docile obedience to her discipline, she could not help thinking he would not have taken to art except to please her; and that displeased her mightily.

Besides, Tom, her brother, was too silly for anything; he insisted on enjoying himself, whoever else was miserable; and Jill was very little better.
Altogether, Miss Oliphant was out of humour, and felt this walk would do her good.
She found the Hodder family in mighty tribulation.

The old man sat in his corner with his hat on the floor beside him, crying and boohing like a child.

And his two little granddaughters looked on at his grief, pale and half-frightened, knowing something bad had happened, but unable to guess what.
"Why, Hodder," said Miss Rosalind, "whatever's the matter?
What a noise you're making! What has happened ?" "Happened!" cried the old man with a voice quavering into a shrill treble.