"Welcome home, Mrs. Middleton," she said; "how long it seems since you went away."
"How do you do, Sarah," said her mistress, graciously. "I can assure you I am glad to be back."
"You will find everything in order, mum, I hope and believe," said Sarah. "We expected to see you sooner."
"I hoped to be back sooner, but the business detained me longer than I desired."
"And did you succeed, mum, if I may be so bold," inquired the housekeeper, curiously.
"As I expected, Sarah. I found that the poor boy was dead."
"Indeed, mum."
"I hoped to bring him back with me, according to my poor husband's desire, but it was ordered otherwise by an inscrutable Providence."
Sarah coughed.