nal in her hands, while her sister Margot was sewing the hem of the skirt for her.
Margot walked over to the cabinet to fetch some needles and thread from a drawer. When she turned around, she saw Edith reading the journal teetering and was almost falling off the chair.
She hurriedly rushed forward to support her younger sister, scolding her, "Edith, what''s the matter with you?"
Edith''s face was pale, she pointed to a news item in bold letters on the newspaper, stammering in panic, "General Dumouriez...has defected!"
-----------------
Late at night, the women at home sat nervously together in the living room.
Margot leaned against the edge of the sofa, pretending to be calm while doing needlework.
The book in Edith''s hand always stayed on the same page, her gaze on the text nothing more than a daze.
Aunt Adele was actually unaware of the news that had caused panic throughout the whole city during the day-the two girls had kept it from her, for the sake of the old lady''s health.
But at this moment, she vaguely sensed that something was wrong. The anxious atmosphere infected the poor old woman as well.
A sharp, almost rude knock on the door was heard, and Edith immediately bounced up.
Margot stepped forward first with her swift and graceful steps to open the door, letting in the chilly breeze of early spring night.
Outside the door was Philippe, with one arm in a sling, the other half-holding, half-supporting a tall person.
The man''s head hung low, barely able to stand on his own, nearly had to be dragged along by Philippe with every step.
"Philippe, you''re hurt!" Aunt Adele exclaimed in alarm.
"Hurry help me get him in!" Philippe growled to urge impatiently.
The candle held in Edith''s hand illuminated that man''s face.
It was Andre.
His tousled blonde hair was a mess, his face and lips bloodless, appearing a ghastly shade of white. There was a dark red stain spreading rapidly on his clothes near his ribs.
After Margot and Philippe combined their efforts to assist him inside, he opened his eyes slightly, seemingly assured that he was safe indoors, then his head tilted to one side, collapsing into Philippe'