And she kissed her mother-in-law: she too was sad, thinking of the old man ... and of Steyn ... and of poor Lot....
The bell suddenly rang upstairs, twice: that was for the companion.
"Is Aunt Thérèse upstairs?" asked Elly.
"I haven't seen her yet," said Ottilie. "But what can it be?..."
"Oh dear, oh dear!" cried Anna, coming from the kitchen and driving the cat away. "It must be the mistress again, behaving funnily: you know, she sees things...."
But the companion came tearing down the stairs, with a pale face:
"I believe she's dying!" she exclaimed, "I'm going next door ... to telephone for the doctor...."
"Stay!" said Lot. "I'll go."
He took his hat and went out. Dismay hovered over the house. Mamma, Ottilie, Elly, the companion and Anna went upstairs.
"You wait here, Hugh," said Ottilie.