But, when it came to the point, his wife could not eat any of the nice breakfast she had got ready; she only had another cup of tea.
“I’m afraid you’re ill, Ellen?” Bunting asked solicitously.
“No,” she said shortly; “I’m not ill at all. Don’t be silly! The thought of that horrible thing happening so close by has upset me, and put me off my food. Just hark to them now!”
Through their closed windows penetrated the sound of scurrying feet and loud, ribald laughter. What a crowd; nay, what a mob, must be hastening busily to and from the spot where there was now nothing to be seen!
Mrs. Bunting made her husband lock the front gate. “I don’t want any of those ghouls in here!” she exclaimed angrily. And then, “What a lot of idle people there are in the world!” she said.
CHAPTER XVI.
Bunting began moving about the room restlessly. He would go to the window; stand there awhile staring out at the people hurrying past; then, coming back to the fireplace, sit down.
But he could not stay long quiet. After a glance at his paper, up he would rise from his chair, and go to the window again.
“I wish you’d stay still,” his wife said at last. And then, a few minutes later, “Hadn’t you better put your hat and coat on and go out?” she exclaimed.
And Bunting, with a rather shamed expression, did put on his hat and coat and go out.