She was deeply touched by the discovery, reflecting in her humility that
Stella's need must indeed have been great to have drawn her to herself
for comfort. It was true that nearly all her friends had been made in
trouble which she had sought to alleviate, but Mary Ralston was too
lowly to ascribe to herself any virtue on that account. She only thanked
God for her opportunities.

On the night of their arrival, when Stella had gone to her room, Tommy
spoke very seriously of his sister's state and begged Mrs. Ralston to do
her utmost to combat the apathy which he had found himself wholly unable
to pierce.

"I haven't seen her shed a single tear," he said. "People who didn't
know would think her heartless. I can't bear to see that deadly
coldness. It isn't Stella."

"We must be patient," Mrs. Ralston said.

There were tears in the boy's own eyes for which she liked him, but she
did not encourage him to further confidence. It was not her way to
discuss any friend with a third person, however intimate.

Tommy left the subject without realizing that she had turned him from
it.

"I don't know in the least how she is left," he said restlessly.
"Haven't an idea what sort of state Dacre's affairs were in. I ought to
have asked him, but I never had the chance; and everything was done in
such a mighty hurry. I don't suppose he had much to leave if anything.
It was a fool marriage," he ended bitterly. "I always hated it. Monck