They were discussing news contained in the letter and a paragraph he had been reading aloud from the paper.
"Poor fellow! How too sad!" said the chaperon of the party.
"I should think he would sooner have been killed outright!" exclaimed the girl.

"I know I would." "Oh, no," said one of the young men, leaning towards her.

"Life is sweet, under any circumstances." "Oh, but blind!" cried the young voice, with a shudder.

"Quite blind for the rest of one's life.

Horrible!" "Was it his own gun ?" asked the older woman.