Bella turned quickly and looked sharply into Mr. Doss's face.
"If you have got anything disagreeable to say, don't be afraid, out with it. I suppose you have jumped to the notion that I'm dying?"
She tried to laugh, but it was a piteous attempt, and ended in a fit of coughing which left her white and trembling in every limb.
"There, there!" cried Mrs. Doss, compassionately; "you must not excite yourself; we will do the talking, and you keep quiet."
Bella lay back on her cushions, weak and exhausted, and when the Dosses at length went away she gave a sigh of relief.
"What did they come for to-night?" she said thoughtfully.
"Well, Bella, Doss had heard a bit of bad news and thought it as well to put you on your guard; but finding you like this put it out of his head, I suppose."
"Bad news? What do you mean? He's not married, is he?"
Saidie stared at her.
"Not that I know of—why, he would have you to-morrow; you know that as well as I do! you are treating him in a rough way; there's no mistake about it."