"Technically, Mr. Crockett, I suppose it is not Senator Norman but Mr. Merriam who died at St. John's Hospital."
(Merriam was somewhat startled at this turn of thought; this phase of the matter had not yet occurred to him.)
"You have made no announcement?" Rockwell asked.
"No," said Crockett. "I have done nothing. When Hobart telephoned me that--what had happened, I rushed out to the hospital again--I don't know why. I couldn't believe it. Then I telephoned from the hospital to the De Soto and got Mrs. Norman, and she told me you were all here, so I came here. I have done nothing."
While he was speaking Alicia and Father Murray returned from the bedroom.
"She is all right," said Alicia. "She asked us to leave her alone for a few minutes. Did you tell Mrs. Norman?" she added, addressing Crockett.
"What had happened? Yes," said Crockett.
Merriam's thoughts flew to Mollie June, alone in the vast, heartless hotel with the news of her husband's death.
"Ought not some one to go to her?" he asked.
"Presently," said Rockwell. "We must first consider the situation a little--hers as well as ours."