“Gil——” Claudia tried to articulate, but something choked her.
“Where’s Gilbert?” said his mother behind her.
The eyes of the old man told her nothing, but the eyes of the doctor were full of pity for the two women. It was the same look as had been in the doctor’s eyes the night of Fay’s accident. As she saw it, Claudia instinctively put up her hand as if to ward off a blow.
The old man tried to explain.
“He would speak ... they’ve killed him ... wouldn’t listen to me ... thought he could.... God have mercy on us all!”
“Do you mean—he’s dead?” whispered Claudia.
The old man passed on heavily into the study. The doctor answered her very gently.
“It was too late when I got there.... Heart failure.... I’m told he knew. Mrs. Currey, I am dreadfully sorry.”
Claudia tried vainly to realize that what had been a few hours previously was not. There was no such person as Gilbert Currey. She, Claudia, was a widow.