"I'm so sorry," she said, "but you see there was so much to do. Oh, I forgot, you haven't heard." She paused.
"Milly has told me; at least, she has told me something; the child's been terrified. I do think Elizabeth must be quite mad to have allowed either of you to see such a horrible thing."
"Elizabeth put out the fire," said Joan dully.
"Elizabeth put out the fire? What do you mean?"
"She wrapped the woman in her coat and her hands got burnt."
"Her hands got burnt? Where is she now, then?"
"At home in bed; I've just come from her."
"Is that where you've been all these hours? I see, you've been home with Elizabeth, and you never let me know!"
"I couldn't, Mother, there was no one to send."
"Then why didn't you come yourself? You must have known that I'd be crazy with anxiety!"