I was roused from a dazed condition by the sharp crack-crack-crack of a rifle.
"What does that mean?" I asked, turning to Kathleen.
"My God!" she exclaimed. "Are they starting again?" But there was no further reports.
"Can I get across the city?" I asked.
"No," she answered. "We are not allowed out of our own district. And anyway we must not be out after seven; martial law has been declared."
"Must not be out after seven," I repeated. "But it's after seven now, and there are lots of people out there on the street."
"They're at their own doors," she said indignantly. "We can stay around our own doors, I hope. Though," she added, "if the soldiers order us to go inside we must obey."
"I wanted to get to Mamma," I said. "She'll be in a dreadful state."
"Where is she now?" asked Margaret.