“I don’t know,” said Joe; “I didn’t see it till he fell.”
“Words!” said Greening, catching at it suddenly, as if what Joe had said had only then penetrated his understanding. “You and him had some words!”
“Yes, we had some words,” said Joe.
“Where’s Missis Chase?” demanded Greening again, turning his eyes suspiciously around the room.
“Upstairs, I told you Sol,” replied Joe. “She went to bed early.”
“Hush!” cautioned Greening, holding up his hand, listening intently. “I hear her movin’ around. Let me talk to her.”
He tiptoed to the door at the foot of the stairs, and listened again; tiptoed back to the outer portal, which he had left swinging behind him, and closed it gently. There was no sound from above now to indicate that Ollie was awake. Sol stood near Isom’s body, straining and listening, his hand to his ear.
“She must ’a’ been turnin’ over in bed,” said he. “Well, I guess I’ll have to call her. I hate to do it, but she’s got to be told.”
“Yes, she must be told,” said Joe.
Sol stood as if reflecting on it a little while. Joe was on the other side of Isom’s body, near the table. Both of them looked down into his bloodless face.