The three went half-way down the stair together.
“Don't mind her,” said Alice with a great sob. “I hope she didn't hurt you much, Richard!”
“Not a bit,” answered Richard.
“Poor mother!” sighed Arthur; “she's not in her right mind! We're in constant terror lest she drop down dead!”
“She's not a very good mother to you!” said Richard.
“No, but that has nothing to do with loving her,” answered Alice; “and to think of her dying like that, and going straight to the bad place! Oh, Richard, what shall I do! It turns me crazy to think of it!”
The door above them opened, and the fierce voice of the mother fell upon them; but it was broken by a fit of hiccupping, and she went in again, slamming the door behind her.