Primula's effort to be jocular was a failure; tears drowned her voice, she sat down on a settee, pressed her hand on her face, and sobbed. But a moment and she jumped up again.
"No womanly weakness, Primula," she cried; "we must be strong now. Drink, friends, drink; and then out into the dark night and the star-crowned life!"
"Come, Oswald," said Emily, who stood there ready for the journey; "Mrs. Jager is right; a cup of tea will do no harm, and a few minutes more or less can make no difference."
"I wish we were off," said Oswald, taking the cup she was offering him from her hand.
He had hardly uttered these words when somebody knocked violently against the shutter.
All looked at each other frightened.
"Hallo!" cried a voice.
"For heaven's sake! That is Arthur!" said Emily. "We are lost."
"Farewell, my friends!" cried Primula, and dashed into the adjoining chamber, after having in vain tried to break open the door of a huge wardrobe.
"Hush!" said the old woman. "We are not so easily caught here in Ferry town. Not a word!"