Page:Fletcher - The Mortover Grange Affair.pdf/285

 at first, was beginning to interest him. "Isn't he living?"

"No, he died, poor child, at a very early age," replied Mrs. Patello. "In fact, very soon after she took young Philip to live with them. Croup it was—went very sudden. Of course, I'd left those parts then—I never saw him, except when he was a mere one-month's baby: I only heard of these things. But Janet said he was a fine little fellow. To be sure, croup makes very short work of young children!"

"So I understand," said WedgwodWedgwood [sic]. "So I suppose she kept young Philip with her?"

"Never left her—or she never left him," assented Mrs. Patello. "He lived with her until he was several years old; then she went to become housekeeper at Mortover Grange, and of course he went back there with her. They've never been parted, those two."

Wedgwood remained silent awhile, following out a train of thought.

"How old was that child when he died—the child Walter?" he asked suddenly.

"Fifteen months," replied Mrs. Patello. "Sad age—just when they get interesting!"

"And Philip—how old was he?"

"Same age, almost to a day. I never saw him—at that time, I mean—but I've heard that the two boys were as like as two peas!" con-