She dared not go out there.
All at once, as she was getting the clean napkins from the sideboard, she heard the front door open, and one of the neighbors, Mrs.Jonas White, entered without knocking.

She was a large woman and carelessly dressed, but her great face was beaming with kindness and pity.
"I just heard how bad your ma was," she said, in a loud whisper, "an' I run right over.

I thought mebbe--How is she ?" "She is very sick," replied Maria.

She felt at first an impulse to burst into tears before this broadside of sympathy, then she felt stiff.
"You are as white as a sheet," said Mrs.White.

"Who is burnin' eggs out there ?" She pointed to the kitchen.
"Father." "Lord! Who's up-stairs ?" "Miss Bell and the doctors.