No , my dear ; he 's not married ; I asked him that when I engaged him . '' `` And he said he was not ? '' `` Yes ; he 's not more than five or six-and-twenty , and fond of a wandering life , so what should he want of a wife and a flock of bantlings ? '' `` He seems sad and sober sometimes , and I fancied he might have some domestic trouble to harass him . Do n't you think there is something peculiar about him ? '' asked Helen , remembering Hoffman 's hint that her uncle knew his wish to travel incognito , and wondering if he would throw any light upon the matter . But the major 's face was impenetrable and his answer unsatisfactory . `` Well , I do n't know . Every one has some worry or other , and as for being peculiar , all foreigners seem more or less so to us , they are so unreserved and demonstrative . I like Hoffman more and more every day , and shall be sorry when I part with him . '' `` Ludmilla is his sister , then , or he did n't tell uncle the truth . It is no concern of mine ; but I wish I knew , '' thought Helen anxiously , and then wondered why she should care . A feeling of distrust had taken possession of her and she determined to be on the watch , for the unsuspicious major would be easily duped , and Helen trusted more to her own quick and keen eye than to his experience . She tried to show nothing of the change in her manner : but Hoffman perceived it , and bore it with a proud patience which often touched her heart , but never altered her purpose . VII AT FAULT Four weeks went by so rapidly that every one refused to believe it when the major stated the fact at the breakfast-table , for all had enjoyed themselves so heartily that they had been unconscious of the lapse of time . `` You are not going away , uncle ? '' cried Amy , with a panic-stricken look . `` Next week , my dear ; we must be off , for we 've much to do yet , and I promised mamma to bring you back by the end of October . '' `` Never mind Paris and the rest of it ; this is pleasanter . I 'd rather stay here -- '' There Amy checked herself and tried to hide her face behind her coffee-cup , for Casimer looked up in a way that made her heart flutter and her cheeks burn .
`` Sorry for it , XXXXX ; but go we must , so enjoy your last week with all your might , and come again next year . ''
Amy Casimer Helen Hoffman Ludmilla Paris bantlings burn day weeks