Edmund willed himself to breathe and think about his words before he said them out loud.  he had just met Francis, and things were just becoming good, he didn't want to ruin them so quickly.  In the moment of quiet, Mable spoke instead.

"I was going to find out eventually," she repeated, "so I don't even know why you don't tell me!  I'm going to be worried about you either way!"

"Mable, go inside," Edmund said, holding out a hand to quiet her.  The girl looked at him and her shoulder slumped, walking around him and towards the hotel.  Before she was too far away, she turned and looked back at Francis.

"I told you he was dead."

She looked away, the weight of her gaze replaced by Edmund's.  "What does that mean?  What did she tell you?  Why did you tell her?"