The conversation naturally turned to
Mrs. Putnam's death, and Ezekiel remarked "that she was a nice old lady,
and that she and his mother were great friends. It beats all," continued
he, "the way Lindy has acted. Abner Stiles told me that she took the
half-past three train to Boston, and he said Bob Wood took over an
express wagon full of trunks. Samanthy Green told Stiles that Lindy
hadn't left a single thing in the house that belonged to her, and it
don't look as though she was comin' back to the funeral."
During this recital, Alice listened intently. She flushed then grew
pale, and finally burst into tears. All present, of course, attributed
her agitation to her well known love for Mrs. Putnam.
"Shall I go upstairs with you, Sis?" asked Ezekiel.
"No," said Alice, drying her eyes, "I'm going into the parlor. I told
Mandy to build a fire there, and I want you and Uncle Ike and Mr. Sawyer
to come with me."
When they were gathered in the parlor, Alice began her story. Every word
said by the dead woman had burned itself deep into her memory, and from
the time she entered the sick room until she fell exhausted upon the
stairway, after calling loudly for Samanthy and Lindy, not a word was
missing from the thrilling narrative.
Pages:
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520