The cat beneath George's arm wriggled.
Boom and wriggle touched George back to action from the fear into which the invisible something and the fearful panorama of faces had struck him.
After all—let have happened what might have happened—he had the cat!
He swung the creature round into his hands; outstretched it. He took a step forward. “Uncle!” he cried, “uncle, I have found the Rose!”
“Hem!” said Mrs. Major on a short jerk.
From Mary there came a violent double sniff.
George stood perfectly still; the unseen horror he felt to be rushing upon him, but it remained invisible. With considerably less confidence he repeated:
“The Rose, uncle.”
“Hem!” said Mrs. Major on a yet shorter jerk; from Mary a double sniff yet more violent.
Mr. Marrapit raised a white hand.