"'Not times enough you 'aven't,' said my mother, 'and 'ere's the fruit!'
"'I've tole 'er time after time,' said my father. 'Time after time.' And he continued to repeat this at intervals throughout the subsequent discussion until another refrain replaced it.
"My uncle said little at first. He took up his position on the hearthrug my father had made and stood there, swaying slightly, hiccupping at intervals behind his hand, frowning and scrutinising the faces of the speakers. At last he delivered his judgment. 'Somethin'sappened to that girl,' he said. 'You mark my words.'
"Prue had a mind apt for horrors. 'She's bin in 'naccident per'aps,' she said. 'She may've bin knocked down.'
"'I've tole 'er,' said my father, 'time after time.'
"'If there's bin 'naccident,' said my uncle sagely. 'Well ... 'nything ma've 'appened.' He repeated this statement in a louder, firmer voice. ''Nything ma've 'appened.'
"'Stime you went to bed, Prue,' said my mother, ''igh time. 'N' you too, 'Arry.'
"My sister got up with unusual promptitude and went out of the room. I think she must have had an idea then of looking for Fanny's things. I lingered.
"'May've been 'naccident, may not,' said my mother darkly. 'Sworse things than accidents.'
"'Whaddyoumean by that, Marth?' asked my uncle.