d only been punched. I think I supposed it, too. He had his hands at his stomach and was leaning forward, as if nursing the pain of the blow. Maud stood a little before him, but now moved away; and as she did I heard something fall, though whether it fell from her hand, or from his—or from Mrs Sucksby''s—I cannot tell you. Mrs Sucksby was the closer to him. She was certainly the closer. She put her arm about him, and as he sagged she braced herself against his weight, and held him. ''Have you hit me?'' he said again.
''I don''t know,'' she said.
I don''t think anyone knew. His clothes were dark, and Mrs Sucksby''s gown was black, and they stood in the shadows, it was hard to see. But at last he took a hand away from his waistcoat and held it before his face; and then we saw the white of his palm made dark with blood.
''My God!'' he said then.
Dainty shrieked.
''Bring a light!'' said Mrs Sucksby. ''Bring a light!''
John caught up the lamp and held it, shaking. The dark blood turned suddenly crimson. Gentleman''s waistcoat and trousers were soaked with it, and Mrs Sucksby''s taffeta gown was red and running where she had held him.
I had never seen blood run so freely. I had talked, an hour before, of murdering Maud. I had sharpened the knife. I had left the knife upon the table. It was not there now. I had never seen blood run, like this. I grew sick.