silence; those who did not soon forgot the boy's
existence.

The tavern loungers, however, some of whom only
knew the Cobden girls by reputation, had theories
of their own; theories which were communicated to
other loungers around other tavern stoves, most of
whom would not have known either of the ladies
on the street. The fact that both women belonged to
a social stratum far above them gave additional license
to their tongues; they could never be called in
question by anybody who overheard, and were therefore
safe to discuss the situation at their will. Condensed
into illogical shape, the story was that Jane
had met a foreigner who had deserted her, leaving
her to care for the child alone; that Lucy had refused
to come back to Warehold, had taken what money
was coming to her, and, like a sensible woman, had
stayed away. That there was not the slightest foundation
for this slander did not lessen its acceptance
by a certain class; many claimed that it offered the
only plausible solution to the mystery, and must,
therefore, be true.

It was not long before the echoes of these scandals
reached Martha's ears. The gossips dare not affront
Miss Jane with their suspicions, but Martha was
different. If they could irritate her by speaking
lightly of her mistress, she might give out some information
which would solve the mystery.