There were people sitting in the room and talking in low tones.
"Has he asked for Rayel yet ?" said one of them.
"Not yet," was the answer.
"Better not let him know about it yet.

There's time enough.

He'll be around soon." I called to them and they came quickly to my bedside.

There were Hester and Mr.Earl and his good wife, all looking down upon me with smiling faces.
"You need not be afraid to tell me now.

I know that Rayel is dead." They made no answer.
"I know he is dead, but tell me how it happened," I said.