Oh, it is terrible, that sudden information, that one you have known
has met with a bloody death! You seem to shrink from the world
where such deeds can be committed, and to grow sick with the idea of
the violent and wicked men of earth. Much as Mary had learned to
dread him lately, now he was dead (and dead in such a manner) her
feeling was that of oppressive sorrow for him.
The room went round and round, and she felt as though she should
faint; but Miss Simmonds came in, bringing a waft of fresher air as
she opened the door, to refresh the body, and the certainty of a
scolding for inattention to brace the sinking mind. She, too, was
full of the morning's news.
"Have you heard any more of this horrid affair, Miss Barton?" asked
she, as she settled to her work.
Mary tried to speak; at first she could not, and when she succeeded
in uttering a sentence, it seemed as though it were not her own
voice that spoke.
"No, ma'am, I never heard of it till this minute."
"Dear! that's strange, for every one is up about it. I hope the
murderer will be found out, that I do.
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