There was a murder committed in the house." "A murder ?" cried Francine.

"Oh, this is exciting! You provoking girl, why didn't you tell me about it before ?" "I didn't think of it," said Cecilia placidly.
"Do go on! Were you at home when it happened ?" "I w as here, at school." "You saw the newspapers, I suppose ?" "Miss Ladd doesn't allow us to read newspapers.

I did hear of it, however, in letters from home.

Not that there was much in the letters.
They said it was too horrible to be described.

The poor murdered gentleman--" Francine was unaffectedly shocked.