"He's not killed. He's—alive!"
She slid off her seat into Amy's arms; and for a moment Amy thought she had fainted away; but she pulled herself together.
"How stupid! What made me do that?"
"You felt dizzy. Come indoors now and lie down. They are all right; and they can't get here for ever so long."
"Yes; I think I will. I'm a little—tired."
She walked quietly, stumbling once or twice, as if uncertain of her footing. Amy put her on the bed, and covered her up.
"You are to go to sleep. You shall hear everything by-and-by."
Amy stooped for a kiss; and Bee held her down. "Dear—you have been so kind. Thank you. Please don't let anybody know that I have—minded!"
"No, of course not!" Amy did not add, as she felt tempted to do, that anybody might have seen. She knew that it would be easy to explain Bee's over-anxiety, by the fact that one of the two men was the brother of her intimate friend.
"He's safe!" dropped slowly from Bee's lips. She drew one long sigh; her arms slackened and fell; and already she was dead asleep. A look of childlike peace overspread her face.