Esther asked Sarah when her people came back to town, and was surprised at the change of expression that the question brought to her friend's face.
"They're expected back to-morrow," she said. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, nothing; something to say, that's all."
The conversation paused, and the two women looked at each other. At that moment a voice coming rapidly towards them was heard calling, "Win-ner, win-ner!"
"I'll send out for the paper," said Esther.
"No, no… Suppose he shouldn't have won?"
"Well, it won't make any difference."
"Oh, Esther, no; some one will come in and tell us. The race can't be over yet; it is a long race, and takes some time to run."
By this time the boy was far away, and fainter and fainter the terrible word, "Win-ner, win-ner, win-ner."
"It's too late now," said Sarah; "some one'll come in presently and tell us about it…. I daresay it ain't the paper at all. Them boys cries out anything that will sell."