Page:Porgy.djvu/183

 "Where do we go?" he asked.

"That's the widow's room over there, if she hasn't moved. We'll give it a look first," said the detective.

The door was off the latch, and, without knocking, he kicked it open and walked in.

The room was small, but immaculately clean. Beneath a patched white quilt could be seen the form of a woman. Two other women were sitting in utter silence beside the bed.

The form under the covers moaned.

"Drop that," the detective commanded. "And answer some questions."

The moaning stopped.

"Where were you yesterday and last night?"

The reply came slowly, as though speaking were great pain.

"I been sick in dis bed now t'ree day an' night."

"We been settin' wid she, nursin' she, all dat time," one of the women said.

And the other supplemented. "Dat de Gawd' trut'."

"You would swear to that?" asked the Coroner.

Three voices answered in chorus:

"Yes, Boss, we swear tuh dat."