Everyone was quiet for a moment.
"We hesitate to contact his family, but in this situation . . ." the other police officer said.
"Of course, you should contact his family," Mrs. Winston insisted. "Everyone who takes a room at my house knows they should have the decency to tell me when they are not going to be here for breakfast and dinner if they've bought the meal plan. He has, and Mrs. McGruder prepares for the number of people we're having. We don't waste food, even if someone's paid for it," she told the policemen. They both nodded quickly like young grade-school boys in front of their stern teacher.
"Nothing like this has ever happened," Mrs. McGruder added. "We had that man, what was his name, Horner, who was drinking too much and passed out before dinner one night, remember? That's how we found out about him."
"And got rid of him the next day," Mrs. Winston added, pressing her lips into her mouth for stern emphasis.
