Mrs. S. Oh, it was the influenza.
Mrs. G. So it was; I knew it was some outlandish name, and they all sound alike to me. For my part, I wish there was no foreign words.
Mrs. P. Mrs. Gossip, did you hear the particulars of the dreadful news in the village?
Mrs. G. No. What dreadful news? I have not heard nothing, good, bad, or indifferent.
Mrs. P. What! haven’t you heard of the woman in the village that they won’t bury?
Mrs. G. Not a word. Who is she? What’s her name?
Mrs. S. Her name begins with G, and as that begins your name, I hoped you would know something about it.
Mrs. G. Bless me! I never heard a syllable of it! Why don’t they bury the poor thing? I couldn’t refuse to bury even a dog.
Mrs. P. There is a suspicion of murder or suicide in the case.
Mrs. G. Well, they hang murderers and suicides, don’t they? What can be the matter? There is something very mysterious about it!