Then to Nick he said:
“This dog and Mackenzie were almost inseparable. When the poor brute realizes his loss, he will be inconsolable.”
As they neared the house, Nick said:
“Dr. Abbott, I wish you would not mention to the widow my profession nor the business which brought me to Elmwood.”
“Why not?”
“I mean until after the funeral. Might it not be a source of additional worry to her to know that I had been brought here by her dead husband?”
“You are right, Mr. Ketchum. I will introduce you as a friend from the city visiting me.”
“Thank you.”
The house stood in the center of a large lawn, and there was no other residence within a radius of a quarter of a mile. It was a frame building of moderate size, two stories in height, and by no means of modern architecture.
A very large, buxom woman, of middle age, met Dr. Abbott at the door. He addressed her as “Emma,” and Nick supposed she was a servant.