People have been talking about it for some time.

They say he's been down there nearly every day.

Didn't you know it ?" "Know it ?" Ned gasped.

"I have not heard of his being in the house for months, but I will soon find out the truth." And without another word he dashed off at full speed up the street.
Panting and breathless he rushed into the house, and tore into the room where his mother was sitting trifling with a piece of fancy work.
"I do wish, Edward, you would not come into the room like a whirlwind.
You know how any sudden noise jars upon my nerves.

Why, what is the matter ?" she broke off suddenly, his pale, set face catching her eye, little accustomed as she was to pay any attention to Ned's varying moods.
"Mother," he panted out, "people are saying an awful thing about you, a wicked, abominable thing.