"He's dead," exclaimed the excited Kitchen People, and began to wring their funny little hands, and to cry

"Oh, why did-de-die?

"Oh, why did-de-die?

"Oh, why did-de-die? did-de-die-die-die?"

They kept up this chant until Mary Frances stepped out into the kitchen.

"Why did-de-die?" demanded Mary Frances, but not a word was answered.