He gathered from Conrad that they were waiting for orders from "Mr. Brown." Perhaps, thought Tommy, he was abroad or away, and they were obliged to wait for his return.
They were waiting from orders from Mr. Brown to kill the turkey and cook it for supper. 
mnli hypothesis: They were waiting from orders from Mr. Brown to kill the turkey and cook it for supper.  premise: He gathered from Conrad that they were waiting for orders from "Mr. Brown." Perhaps, thought Tommy, he was abroad or away, and they were obliged to wait for his return.