[ The smile she offers is a little wan, a little sad.

If what her King said is true ( and she has no doubt that it is ) then her mother may have tried to keep her promise, only to find that she could not.

Have a nod now, before, well -- this might sound a little out of the blue, Kitty. Sorry, she's a little twisted up inside. ]

I hope your uncle comes home soon, Kitty. It is good as well, that he seems the kind of man who would keep his promises.