"I have just come from 'Littlecote.' Mr. Shafto is gone--he died last
night!"




CHAPTER II

WHAT HANNAH SAID

On hearing this announcement, Jane Tebbs gave a little lurch and leant
against the wall in speechless horror; and yet in her heart she had
been more than half expecting--we will not say hoping for--some
tragedy. Then she made a rush to the store-room, where Miss Mitty,
invested in a large blue apron, was methodically marking eggs.

"Sister, sister, come out!" she cried. "Mrs. Billing is here; she says
Mr. Shafto is dead; I told you that something had happened!"

"Dead!" repeated Mitty, staring blankly at her relative. Then she cast
aside her apron and hurried into the hall. "Let us all go into the
dining-room," she continued, leading the way. "What a shocking thing,
Mrs. Billing!"--turning to her visitor. "Do tell us the particulars.
I can hardly believe it! Why, I saw Mr. Shafto in Bricklands on
Tuesday, and he looked as well as he ever did in his life."

"That was the day he heard the news," announced Mrs. Billing, selecting
an arm-chair and casting off her feather boa.