Why had Lewis Hale stopped at the Wright farmhouse?

When Mr. Hale knocked on the Wrights' door, there was no answer. It was after eight o'clock, so he knew they were up. When he knocked a second time, he thought he heard an answer, so he went in. He found Mrs. Wright rocking in a rocking chair and pleating her apron in her hands. He asked to speak to her husband, but she told him no because he was dead.