The native did so, laughing inanely through the narrative, and helped on by Leoline’s prompting. “Ra!” (blood) said the native. “Heaps ra!” The two women looked at each other with ashen faces.
“Is it true, do you think?” Mrs. Lewin said.
“I don’t know—but I must go to my husband,” said Mrs. Gilderoy decidedly.
“I thought you might wish.”
“I shall get down to Port Albert to-night, and take to-morrow’s boat. I can telephone through from there too. If only we had one here!”
“No telephone. Wires cut!” jabbered the runner.
“Oh, good heavens!... Will you come too, or remain here?” said Mrs. Gilderoy, controlling herself and turning to Mrs. Lewin.
“I shall stay here—at present. There is nothing I could do there, and I should only be in the way with no man to look after me. In a few days I may come round, the mail is nearly due.”
“But, my dear, the land is up—that means that the natives have risen all over the island, I expect.”
“I am not afraid.”