But they did not stay for its culmination. Without a
word to each other they hurriedly tiptoed up the stairs to the
gloomy loft, and there they paused, listening.
They heard Della's steps upon the carriage-house floor.
"Ah, there's plenty places t'hide in," they heard her say; "but
I'll show ye! She tole me to bring ye, and I'm--"
She was interrupted by a peculiar sound--loud, chilling, dismal,
and unmistakably not of human origin. The boys knew it for
Whitey's cough; but Della had not their experience. A smothered
shriek reached their ears; there was a scurrying noise, and then,
with horror, they heard Della's footsteps in the passageway that
ran by Whitey's manger. Immediately there came a louder shriek,
and even in the anguish of knowing their secret discovered, they
were shocked to hear distinctly the words, "O Lard in hivvin!" in
the well-known voice of Della. She shrieked again, and they
heard the rush of her footfalls across the carriage-house floor.
Wild words came from the outer air, and the kitchen door slammed
violently. It was all over. She had gone to "tell".
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