“No doubt about it,” said Lee; “but I shouldn't wonder if he had to swing.”
“It's dreadful,” said Fanny. “I wonder when she's comin' home.”
“Seems as if they might have got somebody besides that girl to have gone there,” said Mrs. Zelotes.
“She happened to be right on the spot,” said Lee, importantly.
Andrew seemed speechless; he leaned against the mantel-shelf, gazing from one to the other, breathing hard. He had had bitter feelings against the murdered man, and a curious sense of guilt was over him. He felt almost as if he were the murderer.
“Andrew, I dun'no' but you'd better go up there and see if she's comin' home,” said Fanny; and he answered heavily that maybe he had better, when they heard wheels, which stopped before the house.
“They're bringin' her home,” said Lee.
Andrew ran and threw open the front door. He had a glimpse of Robert's pale face, nodding to him from the buggy as he drove away, and Ellen came hastening up the walk.
“Well, Ellen, this is pretty dreadful news,” said her father, tremulously.
“So you have heard?”