LOVEDAY. (_Smiling._) I'll say it if it is a regulation part of the story. Is it?
VARLIE. Waal, as you are a high and mighty young English girl, we'll take it as said.
(_Sounds of footsteps and panting along road--1ST SHEPHERD hurries on carrying a telegram held out before him._)
1ST SHEP. Where's Mr. Gordon? Oh, where is he? This telegram's for him.
LOVEDAY. He went round the back of the house not long ago.
1ST SHEP. Oh, terrible, terrible. That I've to take him this telegram.
1ST SHEP. Bad news, terrible bad news. The postman, he told me.
1ST SHEP. Oh, Missy, how'll ever Mister Gordon take it? Mr. Robert has been killed.
LOVEDAY. (_Sinking back in chair._) Robert _killed_, oh! _poor_ Gordon!
1ST SHEP. That's what I say. It had better been the other way about.
LOVEDAY. (_Swiftly, in anger._) How _can_ you say that?
NORA. (_Running out of house._) What _is_ the fuss?
1ST SHEP. (_A little important as being the bearer of sad news._) Ah, Missy, it's sad tidings there is in this telegram. Mr. Robert's killed.
NORA. (_Screams and staggers. LOVEDAY springs up and goes to her._) Robert, Robert! Killed. How do you know? It must be lies. How do you know?
1ST SHEP. Postman told me. This is a Government telegram, telling it to ye, official.
GORDON. (_Hurries round the house and comes centre forward._) Whatever is the matter?
(_ROTO comes in and learning news from VARLIE, shows signs of real grief._
_ALL hesitate to tell GORDON. 1ST SHEPHERD holds out telegram._)
1ST SHEP. It's, it's bad news, Mister Gordon.
GORDON. The telegram is official--it's--is Robert wounded? (_Tears open the telegram._)
GORDON. Killed! (_Lets telegram fall, and staggers forward to chair, all are silent._)
NORA. (_Crying softly._) Oh Robert, Robert, Robert!
(_LOVEDAY tries to soothe her and is sad also. ROTO sniffs. The collie dog comes up to the group, looking from one to the other, then goes to GORDON and rubs against him licking his hand. GORDON pats him._)
GORDON. Good old chap. Yes, he'll never come back. Your master is dead--died a hero's death.
VARLIE. (_Comes up and shakes GORDON'S hand._) Accept my condolences.
GORDON. Thanks--thanks, you're kind. (_Pays little attention to him, goes over to NORA, who is still weeping._) Nora, dear. (_He kneels beside her._) How sweet of you to care so much--he, he'd be proud if he knew.