"Mr. Applegate," she said earnestly, "I do understand the very immediate need for new and adequate sewers. I nursed men dying of typhoid in the Crimea, and it is something I could never forget or take lightly. But if you had seen the dangers-"

"Mrs. Monk"-he interrupted her again, leaning forward a little in the chair he had taken opposite her-"I am aware of the matter because it was drawn to my attention by someone else, someone even more disturbed by the possibility of disaster than you are. She gave her whole time and attention to it, and I fear perhaps even her sanity." His face was very grave, and there was an acute consciousness of pain in his eyes. "My wife was very fond of her, and I held her in high regard myself."

"Held?" Hester said with a chill. "What happened to her?"

Now there was no mistaking his distress. "Of that I am not certain. I was informed only of the merest details, and since they are unclear, I prefer not to repeat them. It is no slight upon you, Mrs. Monk, it is a respect for the dead. She was a young woman of great courage, a kind of high daring. In spite of personal loss and forfeit of much chance of happiness, she placed honor first, and it seems to have exacted from her a terrible price. Please do not press me to say more."

But it was impossible for Hester to leave it. She was the equal of anyone on earth for compassion, and had the fire and courage to make it of practical use, but she had never excelled in tact. She was too fierce and too impatient. "If she placed honor first, then it is all the more urgent that we should follow her!" she said intently. "How can you wish to say nothing of her? Are you not proud of her? Do we not all owe her something?"

Now he seemed embarrassed, and very clearly uncertain how to answer. "Mrs. Monk, there are some tragedies that... that should remain ... unexplained. I can think of no better word. Please ..."

She saw the great crevasse in the ground in her mind's eye again, and her stomach turned at the thought of its collapse. She imagined how it would be for the men at the bottom, possibly even seeing it begin to bulge and give way, knowing what would happen and yet unable to do anything but watch. They would see the water explode through, carrying earth and timber with it to crash down on top of them, bruising, breaking, burying them in the filth and darkness. She could not keep silent.