Walter came in from the study. I had forgotten Walter; and Maud came downstairs from her bedroom; I had forgotten that Maud was staying with us just then.
They pulled me back from the window.
Maud said:
‘Quick, we must get the children downstairs.’
She went to the cot and picked Rachel up.
She said:
‘Ada has taken Eleanor down already.’
Walter said:
‘That’s right, Maud: that’s right. Hurry up, Helen, why are you waiting?’
He took me by the shoulder and pushed me in front of him across the room, turning out the gas as he passed, and I went where he pushed me. I felt quite passive, and as though I were a long way off, and looking on We sat downstairs in the dining-room; the servants were there already with Eleanor. She was pink with sleep and rather puzzled. They had wrapped her up in a rug, and she sat on Walter’s knee. I took Rachel on mine; she was still fast asleep.