Part 14 (2/2)
Then I told him all the story
”Was he murdered or did he commit suicide?” he asked when I had finished
”I don't know, and to tell you the truth I don't want to know; nor will you if you are wise, unless knowledge is forced upon you It is enough that he is dead, and for his daughter's sake the less the circumstances of his end are exaain, ”ill tell her? I can't You found him, Allan”
”I expected that job would be my share of the business, Ansob Well, the sooner it is over the better Now dress yourself and come on to the stoep”
Then I left him and next ood sort of a wo fro, to fetch hot water, I suppose
”Kaatje,” I said, ”go back and tell the Missie Heda that I want to speak to her as soon as I can Never mind the hot water, but stop and help her to dress”
She began to gru in my eye stopped her and she went back into the room Ten minutes later Heda was by my side
”What is it, Mr Quater dreadful has happened”
”It has, my dear,” I answered, ”that is, if death is dreadful
Your father died last night”
”Oh!” she said, ”oh!” and sank back on to the seat
”Bear up,” I went on, ”we e of man”
”But I loved him,” she moaned ”He had many faults I know, still I loved him”
”It is the lot of life, Heda, that we should lose e love
Be thankful, therefore, that you have some one left to love”
”Yes, thank God! that's true If it had been him-no, it's wicked to say that”
Then I told her the story, and while I was doing so, Ansob joined us, walking by aid of his stick Also I showed them both Marnham's letter to me and the will, but the other bit of paper I did not speak of or show
She sat very pale and quiet and listened till I had done Then she said-
”I should like to see him”
”Perhaps it is as well,” I answered ”If you can bear it, come at once, and do you come also, Ansob”
We went to the roo each other by the hand I unlocked the door and, entering, threw open a shutter There sat the dead man as I had left hiazed at hi, then advanced and kissed his cold forehead, ood-bye, father”
A thought struck me, and I asked-