On reaching the top of the stairs, Harry and Katie stood, and Russell also stopped a little below. He wasn't proud. He was anxious for information. So he stood and listened to what they had to say.
The two stood there in silence for some time, until at length Katie spoke.
"Isn't this horrible?" said she, with a heavy sigh.
Harry gave another sigh responsive to hers.
"It's worse," said Katie, "than ever."
Harry, with another sigh, allowed that it was.
"I can't stay here," said Katie, "in this place, and, what's more, I won't stay. I'm free now, and I've made up my mind to go away."
"Will you?" said Harry, in an eager voice.
"Yes, I will," said Katie, decidedly; "and I'll go all alone. You needn't come; for of course you'll stay."
"Stay?" said Harry—"stay? and here—when you've gone away?"