'Gene did some very quick thinking in the next few minutes. He realized that her departure had been the subject of comment and speculation, and that it would be necessary for him to resort to something he knew nothing about—diplomacy. Had he been an observing man he would have noticed the sudden cessation of talk about the stove when he first entered the toll house. The loungers had been discussing her departure, and there would have been a murderer in their midst had 'Gene Crawley heard the remark that fell from Luther Hitchcock's lips.
"Don't know how long she'll stay," responded 'Gene, briefly. He leaned against the counter, crossing his legs.
"How's Jed gittin' 'long up yander?" continued Jim.
"All right, I reckon."
"Justine hain't been lookin' very well lately," said Link Overshine, from the nail-keg.
"Hain't looked herself sence the kid come," added Hitchcock.
"When did she last hear from Jud?" asked Link.
"Talkin' to me?" asked Crawley.
"Yes."
"Well, how do you s'pose I know anything about her letters?"