noon before
Mother had heard the news ; the shock which the doctor dreaded had had its effect . I reached Denboro the next morning . Lute met me at the station . From his disjointed and lengthy story I gathered that Mother had been `` feelin ' fust-rate for her '' until the noon before . `` I come back from the post-office , '' said Lute , `` and I was cal ` latin ' to read the newspaper , but Dorindy had some everlastin ' chore or other for me to do -- I believe she thinks 'em up in her sleep -- and I left the paper on the dinin ' - room table and went out to the barn . Dorindy she come along to boss me , as usual . When we went back to the house there was Mrs. Comfort on the dinin ' - room floor -- dead , we was afraid at fust .