“They got her out almost at once,” said Mrs. Kendal. “We had stopped the car and Puppa ran back, but I wouldn’t let the girls come. Ahlfred came, of course, but I said to the girls, ‘No, girls.’ And they stayed by the car. There seemed to be people there in a moment--I saw Major Ambrey, but, thank Heaven, Nancy was safe at home. Oh, poor little thing--who is to go to her?” “I will,” said Claire wildly. Loman Cottage is three miles from the Manor House and the chauffeur had gone down to the scene of the accident. “They will have sent for her from the cottage hospital,” Mary said gently. “Is old Mr. Carey--?” Mrs. Kendal nodded, the tears running down her face. “They said he must be. They--they couldn’t move the car so as to free him.” “They’ll have moved it now, with the men. I’m going down there,” said Claire suddenly. “No, don’t!” “I must help.” “Claire, you can’t help.” “I can help Nancy Fazackerly.” “Sallie is there, I think. I wouldn’t let my girls come--I have always shielded them most tenderly from dreadful sights and sounds--but I saw Sallie, I think.” “Yes,” said Mary. “She went with her brother.” Perhaps Mary, too, would have liked the selfish satisfaction of shielding her children from reality; but she does not indulge in it. “Sallie!” exclaimed Claire. “What can a child like Sallie do? She has no business to be there at all. I shall go myself.” They had a trying time with her. She kept on saying that she must go and starting up wildly to ring for her maid and order her hat and cloak to be brought, and then she broke into tears again and said, “The only thing is, am I fit for it?” At least it afforded Mary the relief of occupation. In the end she telephoned down to the cottage hospital for news and to ask whether Mrs. Fazackerly were there. Yes, she was there. Major Ambrey had fetched her. Old Carey was actually breathing when they brought him in, but had died without regaining consciousness within five minutes of his admission. Mrs. Harter? She was badly bruised, but by some miracle had escaped serious injury. She would be detained for the night, but the doctor could find nothing the matter with her beyond severe shock. Harter himself had not appeared at the hospital at all. “Then,” said Mary, “has anyone--is anyone--with Mrs. Harter?” There was a momentary silence at the other end of the wire. Then: “The nurse is within call, of course. But, naturally, there’s a great deal to be done. She seems more or less stunned.” “I see,” said Mary. She hung up the receiver without mentioning the name of the dead boy. Claire upbraided her for that. “But what could I have asked?” said Mary sadly. “It may be a ghastly mistake--I can’t believe it’s true--why he was laughing and talking in this very hall less than two hours ago. I can’t believe it,” Claire wailed.