"And there's a funny-lookin' letter this mornin', down at the bottom
of the pile--" persisted Lizzie. "It looked like the other one.
I'd half a mind to throw it away before you saw it!"

"Now, Lizzie, that's quite enough!" Miss Cornelia had the Van Gorder
manner on now. "I don't care to discuss your ridiculous fears any
further. Where is Miss Dale?"

Lizzie assumed an attitude of prim rebuff, "Miss Dale's gone into
the city, ma'am."

"Gone into the city?"

"Yes, ma'am. She got a telephone call this morning, early--long
distance it was. I don't know who it was called her."

"Lizzie! You didn't listen?"

"Of course not, Miss Neily." Lizzie's face was a study in injured
virtue. "Miss Dale took the call in her own room and shut the door."

"And you were outside the door?"

"Where else would I be dustin' that time in the mornin'?" said
Lizzie fiercely. "But it's yourself knows well enough the doors
in this house is thick and not a sound goes past them."

"I should hope not," said Miss Cornelia rebukingly. "But--tell
me, Lizzie, did Miss Dale seem--well--this morning?"