"Quick!" said Great-Aunt Jane.
They darted to their seats, smoothing their hair as they went.
The nurse entered.
"Whatever——" she began, then looked round the peaceful room. "Oh, it must have been in the street!"
Great-Aunt Jane opened her eyes.
"I feel much better," she said. "Ever so much better."
"You look better," said the nurse. "I hope the children were good."
"Good as gold!" said Great-Aunt Jane, with the ghost of a wink at William.
"Look at them," said the nurse, smiling. "Both purple in the face with holding their breaths. They'd better go now."
Again Great-Aunt Jane winked at William. Downstairs Uncle John was standing, gloomy as ever, by the fireplace.