It is not a pleasant sound to hear.

Catrina heard it, and it twisted her plain, strong face in a sudden spasm of sympathy.
Again she made an impatient little movement.
"Let me go in," she urged.

"I may be able to help." Steinmetz shook his head.
"Better not!" he said.

"Besides, your life is too precious to these poor people to run unnecessary risks." She gave a strange, bitter laugh.
"And what about you ?" she said.

"And Paul ?" "You never hear of Paul going into any of the cottages," snapped Steinmetz sharply.