"Tending the flowers, Anna?"
She turned to him, her fair young face utterly colourless. "I have been so wanting to see thee, William! I came here, hoping thee wouldst come out. At dinner time I was here, and thee only nodded to me from the window. I did not like to beckon to thee."
"I am sorry to have been so stupid, Anna. What is it?"
"Thee hast heard what has happened—that dreadful thing! Hast thee heard it all?"
"I believe so. All that is known."
"I want thee to tell it me. Patience won't talk of it; Hester only shakes her head; and I am afraid to ask Gar. Thee tell it to me."
"It would not do you good to know, Anna," he gravely said. "Better try and not think——"
"William, hush thee!" she feverishly exclaimed. "Thee knew there was a—a friendship between me and him. If I cannot learn all there is to be learnt, I shall die."
William looked down at the changing cheek, the eyes full of pain, the trembling hands, clasped in their eagerness. It might be better to tell her than to leave her in this state of suspense.
"William, there is no one in the wide world that knows he cared for me, but thee," she imploringly resumed. "Thee must tell me; thee must tell me!"