The time seemed endless. They wondered if the others were sitting down to tea. Noel began to cry a little.

"I do want to get out of this horrid room—I want Mums! I want my tea."

And then he began to say over and over again in a whispering tone, "Please, God, help us! Please, God, help us!"

"I'm sure God will send somebody. He sent a man very quick to Miss Constance when she tumbled out of her car." His tone was brave, and he wiped his tears away.

Inez had found a thick short stick and began battering at the door and calling out for help.

Suddenly, to their great delight, they heard a man's voice outside:

"Hallo! What's up? Who's here?"

"Open the door! It's us! We're shut in!"

Inez's voice was shrill and frantic.

Noel stood up smiling seraphically.