The Bunch of Violets, page 9 by Ernest Bramah
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makes, even the way he so securely keeps it? 'Business' eh? Your husband cares not so long as we succeed. But I, Kato Kuromi, care." He went nearer so that his mere attitude was menacing as he stood over her, and his usually smooth voice changed to a tone she had never heard there before. "How have you learned all this? How, unless you and Hulse-"
"Sssh!" she exclaimed in sharp dismay as her ear caught a sound beyond.
"---oh yes," continued Kato easily, his voice instantly as soft and unconcerned as ever, it will be there, you mean. The views in the valley of Kedu are considered very fine and the river itself-"
It was Darragh whom Violet had heard approaching, and he entered the room in a much better temper than he had left it. At the door he paused a moment to encourage someone forward-a seedy, diffident man of more than middle age, who carried a brown-paper parcel.
"Come on, Sim; hurry up, man!" urged Darragh impatiently, but without the sting of contempt that had poisoned his speech before. "And, oh, Phillips"-looking back and dropping his voice-"when Mr. Hulse arrives show him into the morning-room at first. Not up here, you understand? Now, Sims."
After a rather helpless look round for something suitable on which to lay his parcel, the woebegone-looking individual was attempting to untie it on an upraised knee.
"Yes, sir," he replied, endeavouring to impart a modicum of briskness into his manner. "I'm sorry to be a bit late, sir; I was delayed."
"Oh, well, never mind that now," said Darragh magnanimously. "Thing quite all right?"
"Mrs. Sims isn't worse?" asked Violet kindly.
Mr. Sims managed to get his back to the group before he ventured to reply.
'No, miss, he said huskily; "she's better now. She's dead: died an hour ago. That's why I wasn't quite able to get here by eight."
From each of his hearers this tragedy drew a characteristic response. Violet gave a little moan of sympathy and turned away. Kato regarded Sims, and continued