'No better,' he replied.
'This strange girl tells me he has broken his neck.'
He was silent. He could not tell her the truth. It must be broken gently to her.
'I should wish to know if it be so.'
'Let us hope for the best. I have sent the post-boy to Okehampton for a doctor. He will know better than I what is the matter, and what must be done.'
'But you can surely tell me whether he be alive or dead.'
'He is still unconscious.'
'I know he be dead,' said Joyce roughly. 'What's a broke is a broke, and his neck be broke as sure as a bit o' cloam. I told her so.'
'Is he dead?' again asked the young lady.
She was now being carried to the house. There was no tremor in the arms that rested on the shoulders of her bearers.