Phillippa is sacrificing herself to save her stepma for her dead father 's sake . It 's all your fault , '' I cried , getting over my bewilderment . `` We thought you were dead . Why did n't you come home when you were alive ? Why did n't you write ? '' `` I DID write , after I got out of the hospital , several times , '' he said , `` and never a word in answer , Aunt Rachel . What was I to think when Phillippa would n't answer my letters ? '' `` She never got one , '' I cried . `` She wept her sweet eyes out over you . SOMEBODY must have got those letters . '' And I knew then , and I know now , though never a shadow of proof have I , that Isabella Clark had got them -- and kept them . That woman would stick at nothing . `` Well , we 'll sift that matter some other time , '' said Owen impatiently . `` There are other things to think of now . I must see Phillippa . '' `` I 'll manage it for you , '' I said eagerly ; but , just as I spoke , the door opened and Isabella and Mark came in . Never shall I forget the look on Isabella 's face . I almost felt sorry for her . She turned sickly yellow and her eyes went wild ; they were looking at the downfall of all her schemes and hopes . I did n't look at Mark Foster , at first , and , when I did , there was n't anything to see .
His face was just as sallow and wooden XXXXX ever ; he looked undersized and common beside Owen .
after as for in of on over that though to