"Paul, where's the light?"
"—put it out ... like to lie in the dark an' think," answered a deep, sepulchral voice.
"Whatever is the matter with you, Paul?"
"Ain't you heered? Ain't Ma told you?"
"No!"
Paul struck a match and lit the lamp. I sat on the side of the bed and talked with him.
"Ain't you heered how I been married?" he began.
"So that's it, is it?" I anticipated prematurely, "and you weren't happy ... and she went off and left you!"
"Yes, she's left me all right, Johnnie, but not that way ... she's dead!"
And Paul stopped with a sob in his throat. I didn't know what to say to his sudden declaration, so I just repeated foolishly, "why, I never knew you got married!" twice.