Dr.Henry shook his head dubiously when the captain asked questions.

And, one morning at breakfast, Edwards informed him that the old man was dead.

Annie had been summoned by telephone at midnight and had gone home.
Captain Elisha, though not greatly surprised, was shocked and grieved.
It seemed such a needless tragedy, almost like murder, although there was no malice in it.

And the thought of the fatherless children and the poverty of the stricken family made him shudder.

Death at any time, amid any surroundings, is terrible; when the dead hands have earned the bread for many mouths it is appalling.
The captain dreaded visiting the flat, but because he felt it to be a duty he went immediately.