Frances nodded her understanding of this information.
Then there was a bit of a strained silence. It was a little more difficult for Frances to make small talk than for others: she couldn't ask about a curious map on the wall or say 'nice little place you've got here'.
"He's English, you say?" she asked of Vaughn, not that it really mattered. It was just the only thing she could think of to say. She was also a little self conscious, should she seem more upset than she was about Frank's shocking demise, should she be more the grieving sister?
Actually, she was beginning to feel a tremendous amount of relief and freedom and she, somewhat guiltily, started to worry that there might be some mistake, and she might suddenly hear his voice drawl "Ha ha! Joke's on you Sis! Me and some pals were just havin' some fun with you, don't worry, I ain't dead at all!!"
Frank often played tricks and practical jokes on her, his favourite was to move the furniture around, so she would trip over things. That really used to make him laugh.
She certainly wouldn't miss that.