"
Lucy glanced at the tea-gown.
"As you will have to tell the Professor that your brother is dead
to account for possessing the money," she said pointedly, "I
should advise you to go into mourning. Professor Braddock will
be shocked otherwise."
"Dear me, what a tender heart he must have!" said Mrs. Jasher
flippantly. "My brother was very little to me, poor man, so he
cannot be anything to the Professor. However, I shall adopt your
advice, and, after all, black suits me very well. There"--she
swept her hands across the tea-table--"that is settled. Now
about yourself?"
"Archie and I marry in the springtime."
"And your other admirer, who has come back?"
"Sir Frank Random?" said Lucy, coloring.
"Of course. He called to see me a day or so ago, and seems less
broken-hearted than he should be."
Lucy nodded and colored still deeper.
"I suppose some other woman has consoled him."
"Of course. Catch a modern man wearing the willow for any girl,
however dear. Are you angry?"
"Oh no, no."
"Oh yes, yes, I think," said the widow, laughing, "else you are
no woman, my dear. I know I should be angry to see a man get
over his rejection so rapidly."
"Who is she?" asked Lucy abruptly.
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