'No sir--but the poor lady's dead.'
He did not answer. He seemed turned to stone. He stared with ghastly
eyes.
'Poor thing!' said Susie, forcing herself to speak. 'Was it--very
sudden?'
The woman turned to Susie, glad to have someone with whom to discuss the
event. She took no notice of Arthur's agony.
'Yes, mum; no one expected it. She died quite sudden like. She was only
buried this morning.'
'What did she die of?' asked Susie, her eyes on Arthur.
She feared that he would faint. She wanted enormously to get him away,
but did not know how to manage it.
'They say it was heart disease,' answered the landlady. 'Poor thing! It's
a happy release for her.'
'Won't you get us some tea, Mrs Smithers? We're very tired, and we should
like something immediately.'
'Yes, miss. I'll get it at once.'
The good woman bustled away. Susie quickly locked the door. She seized
Arthur's arm.
'Arthur, Arthur.'
She expected him to break down. She looked with agony at Dr Porhoet, who
stood helplessly by.
'You couldn't have done anything if you'd been here.
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