But you are--safe.
Safe.

The Ten-----" The voice died out in a whisper; the sentence was never finished.

The emaciated fingers began to pick at the coverlet, a fatal sign.

After a time there were no sounds but the cries of the mourners within and the gusty turmoil of the wind without.

Laura had bent down and kissed her father's lips as the spirit left the body; but she did not sob, or utter any ejaculation; her tears flowed silently.