Elma got under Aunt Katharine's eiderdown.
"I may as well die warm," she remarked with her teeth chattering.
There was not much inclination to jokes however, and Elma's speech was touched with a certain abandonment of fear. The situation was very trying. When the police did arrive and ran at a quick, stealthy run to the pantry window, they waited in terror for the expected shuffle and outcry.
"It's really awful," whispered Betty, clinging in despair to her mother.
"I can't think why they are so quiet," said Mrs. Leighton. "I think I must open the kitchen door."
"Oh, ma'am, please, ma'am." Cook at last became hysterical. "Don't move that door, ma'am; we've had scare enough. Let 'em catch 'em themselves."
Betty sat down on the stairs and leant her head on her hands.
"They must be arresting them," she said, "with handcuffs. And papa said they always have to read over the charge. They must be reading over the charge now, I think."
"In the dark!" said Aunt Katharine with a certain eloquent sniff.
"They have lanterns, dark lanterns. Isn't it beautiful?" said Betty.