Miss Lindsay did not contradict him.

"How did it happen?" she inquired, after they had gone some distance in
silence.

"They were out in a sailing-boat," said Mr. Barrett; "the boat capsized
in a puff of wind, and they were all drowned."

"Who was in charge of them?" inquired the girl, after a decent interval.

"Boatman," replied the other.

"How did you hear?"

"I had a letter from one of my sisters-in-law, Charlotte," said Mr.
Barrett. "A most affecting letter. Poor Charlotte was like a second
mother to them. She'll never be the same woman again. Never!"

"I should like to see the letter," said Miss Lindsay, musingly.

Mr. Barrett suppressed a start. "I should like to show it to you," he
said, "but I'm afraid I have destroyed it. It made me shudder every time
I looked at it."

"It's a pity," said the girl, dryly. "I should have liked to see it.
I've got my own idea about the matter. Are you sure she was very fond of
them?"

"She lived only for them," said Mr. Barrett, in a rapt voice.