[He eyed him, concerned but deciding to keep it back. The question, however, gets an unpleasant twist to his expression.]

I... don't know. Donald doesn't talk about it, and I haven't asked. All I know is she's been gone since the boys were small and that wherever she is, she... can't come back.

Considerin' I enjoy talking about what happened with Hortense and Matilda about as much as Donald enjoys talking about Della, I never pressed him for more details.