She continued to say to herself, "I just heard today that Flora is the daughter of Uncle Jacob, and Uncle Jacob has been living in the Fischer's mansion. I want to know more... Flora also grew up in the Fischer's mansion, so are you, childhood friends?"

"Flora was admitted to the Fischer's mansion at the age of twelve, the year after her mother died, and Uncle Jacob brought her in."

She nodded. "So, you are childhood friends?"

"I was sixteen years old that year. What kind of childhood sweetheart was I?"

She said, "Who started? Did you chase her or did she chase you?"

I looked at her with a...