Helen lifted herself up, and looked, with breathless waiting,
towards nurse.
"My dears, he is dead! But I have sent for a doctor. I have done
all I could."
"When did he--when did they bring him home?" asked Sophy.
"Perhaps ten minutes ago. Before you rang for Parker."
"How did he die? Where did they find him? He looked so well. He
always seemed so strong. Oh! are you sure he is dead?"
She went towards the door. Nurse laid her hand on her arm.
"Miss Sophy, I have not told you all. Can you bear to hear it?
Remember, master is in the next room, and he knows nothing yet.
Come, you must help me to tell him. Now, be quiet, dear! It was no
common death he died!" She looked in her face as if trying to
convey her meaning by her eyes.
Sophy's lips moved, but nurse could hear no sound.
"He has been shot as he was coming home along Turner Street,
to-night."
Sophy went on with the motion of her lips, twitching them almost
convulsively.
"My dear, you must rouse yourself, and remember your father and
mother have yet to be told.
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