"Is he--is he dead?"
"Quite dead."
"But I don't understand. When I left him he seemed brighter and better than I have ever seen him before."
"He's been killed."
"Killed! What do you mean, he's been killed?"
"Come here, I'll show you." She went a little closer, unwillingly. "Come this side of the bed." She did as he bade her, with leaden feet. "You see, the pillows have fallen; he's been choked."
"But how can they have fallen? They were all right when I left him. Has any one been in since?"
"Are you sure they were all right when you left him?"
"Perfectly sure. I tell you I have never seen him in better health or in brighter spirits."
"He could not have pushed them from under him himself."