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"I-wasaskedtocall,"hesaidatlast,andstoopedandpickedapieceofcottonfromhistrousers."Icomefrom'MawandMeggins.'"
Theoldladystarted."Isanythingthematter?"sheaskedbreathlessly."HasanythinghappenedtoHerbert?Whatisit?Whatisit?
Herhusbandinterposed."Theretheremother,"hesaidhastily."Sitdown,anddon'tjumptoconclusions.You'venotbroughtbadnews,I'msuresir,"andeyedtheotherwistfully.
"I'msorry-"beganthevisitor.
"Ishehurt?"demandedthemotherwildly.
Thevisitorbowedinassent."Badlyhurt,"hesaidquietly,"butheisnotinanypain."
"OhthankGod!"saidtheoldwoman,claspingherhands."ThankGodforthat!Thank-"
Shebrokeoffasthesinistermeaningoftheassurancedawnedonherandshesawtheawfulconfirmationofherfearsintheothersavertedface.
Shecaughtherbreath,andturningtoherslower-wittedhusband,laidhertremblinghandonhis.Therewasalongsilence.
"Hewascaughtinthemachinery,"saidthevisitoratlengthinalowvoice.
"Caughtinthemachinery,"repeatedMr.White,inadazedfashion,"yes."
Hesatstaringoutthewindow,andtakinghiswife'shandbetweenhisown,presseditashehadbeenwonttodointheiroldcourtingdaysnearlyfortyyearsbefore.
"Hewastheonlyonelefttous,"hesaid,turninggentlytothevisitor."Itishard."
Theothercoughed,andrising,walkedslowlytothewindow."Thefirmwishesmetoconveytheirsinceresympathywithyouinyourgreatloss,"hesaid,withoutlookinground."IbegthatyouwillunderstandIamonlytheirservantandmerelyobeyingorders."
Therewasnoreply;theoldwoman'sfacewaswhite,hereyesstaring,andherbreathinaudible;onthehusband'sfacewasalooksuchashisfriendthesergeantmighthavecarriedintohisfirstaction.
"IwastosaythatMawandMegginsdisclaimallresponsibility,"continuedtheother."Theyadmitnoliabilityatall,butinconsiderationofyourson'sservices,theywishtopresentyouwithacertainsumascompensation."
Mr.Whitedroppedhiswife'shand,andrisingtohisfeet,gazedwithalookofhorrorathisvisitor.Hisdrylipsshapedthewords,"Howmuch?"
"Twohundredpounds,"wastheanswer.
Unconsciousofhiswife'sshriek,theoldmansmiledfaintly,putouthishandslikeasightlessman,anddropped,asenselessheap,tothefloor.
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