"Curse him," Michael groaned. "I wish he'd kept out of our lives."
"So do I," Martha said; "but he hasn't."
Potch came in. He looked from Martha to Michael.
"Where's Sophie?" he asked.
"She ... went out for a walk, a while ago," Martha said.
At first Martha believed Potch knew what had happened. In his eyes there was an awe and horror which communicated itself to Martha and Michael, and held them dumb.
"Henty has shot himself down in the tank paddock," he said at length.
Martha uttered a low wail. Michael looked at Potch, waiting to hear further.
"Some of the boys going home to the Three Mile heard the shot, and went over," Potch said. "I wanted to tell Sophie myself.... They were looking for you in the town, Martha."
"Oh!" Martha got up and went to the door.