“I’m going out to see,” Andrew said; he got up.
“Wait, Andrew, don’t, not yet,” Mary whispered “No; no”; now it’s going upstairs, she thought; it’s along the-it’s in the children’s room. It’s in our room.
“Has somebody come into the house?” Catherine inquired in her clear voice.
Andrew felt the flesh go cold along his spine. He bent near her. “What made you think so, Mama?” he asked quietly.
“It’s right here in the room with us,” Mary said in a cold voice.
“Why, how very stupid of me, I thought I heard. Footsteps.” She gave her short, tinkling laugh. “I must be getting old and dippy.” She laughed again.
“Sshh!”
“It’s Jay,” Mary whispered. "I know it now. I was so wrapped up in wondering what on earth… Jay. Darling. Dear heart, can you hear me?
"Can you tell me if you hear me, dearest?
"Can you?
"Can’t you?
"Oh try your best, my dear. Try your very hardest to let me know.
"You can’t, can you? You can’t, no matter how hard.
"But O, do hear me, Jay. I do pray God with all my heart you can hear me, I want so to assure you.
“Don’t be troubled, dear one. Don’t you worry. Stay near us if you can. All you can. But let not your heart be troubled. They’re all right, my sweetheart, my husband. I’m going to be all right. Don’t you worry. We’ll make out. Rest, my dear. Just rest. Just rest, my heart. Don’t ever be troubled again. Never again, darling. Never, never again.”
“May the souls of the faithful through the mercy of God rest in peace,” Hannah whispered. “Blessed are the dead.”
