It is evident that before he died he had come to think coldly of his wife; for his mention of her in his will was of the curtest, and his provision for her during her lifetime, though amply sufficient for her real needs, not at all in keeping with the style in which she had dwelt with him.

To all remarks or even questions he replied in the fewest words and curtest phrases possible.

She informed him of the bare fact in the curtest manner, without preface or apology or explanation.