Through the open kitchen door Marjorie heard her ask, "Is anything the matter?"
"Hush! Where's Marjorie?" asked Hollis' voice.
Was it her trouble? Was it Miss Prudence? Or Prue--it could not be her father and mother; she had seen them at church. Morris! _Morris!_ Had they not just heard from Will? He went away, and she was not kind to him.
Who was saying "dead"? Was somebody dead?
She was trembling so that she would have fallen had she not caught at the back of a chair for support. There was a buzzing in her ears; she was sinking down, sinking down. Linnet was clinging to her, or holding her up. Linnet must be comforted.
"Is somebody--dead?" she asked, her dry lips parting with an effort.
"Yes, dear; it's Morris," said Mrs. Rheid. "Lay her down flat, Linnet. It's the shock? Hollis, bring some water."
"Oh, no, no," shivered Marjorie, "don't touch me. What shall I say to his mother? His mother hasn't any one else to care for her. Where is he? Won't somebody tell me all about it?"
Hollis drew her into a chair and seated himself beside her, keeping her cold hand in his.
But Marjorie did not hear; she only heard, "Good-bye, Marjorie--_dear_."
Linnet stood very white beside her. Mrs. Rheid was weeping softly.
"They were near a ship in distress; the wind was high, and they could not go to her for many hours; at last Morris went in a boat, with some of the crew, and helped them off the wreck; he saved them all, but he was hurt in some way,--Will does not know how; the men tried to tell him, but they contradicted themselves,--and after getting safe aboard his own ship--do you understand it all?"
"Yes. Morris got back safe to the _Linnet_, but he was injured--"
"And then taken very ill, so ill that he was delirious. Will did everything for his comfort that he could do; he was with him night and day; he lived nine days. But, before he became delirious, he sent his love to his mother, and he gave Will something to give to you."
"Yes. I know," said Marjorie. "I don't deserve it. I refused it when he wanted to give it to me. I wasn't kind to him."
"Yes, you were," said Linnet, "you don't know what you are saying. You were always kind to him, and he loved you."
"Yes; but I might have been kinder," she said. "Must I tell his mother?"