He placed his other hand upon hers gently.
"He is gone, Jess."
She rose to her feet with a gasp, clutching his arm.
"Not dead!"
"Yes, Jess."
Her hands fell to her sides, limply, nervelessly; her lips parted, but no sound came from them; for a second she stood motionless.
He took her hand again and rested his arm upon her shoulder, fearing she would fall.
"Dead!"
The word came in a low whisper, but the parted lips did not move nor the staring eyes change.
"My poor, poor Jess," he whispered.