Other things being equal, Penelope knew that in a hand to hand encounter she would have no chance with the elder woman. She moved with apparent aimlessness about the house and grounds seeking for something that might serve as a weapon. At last her eye fell on a short and heavy poker in the dining-room, and she tested its balance and weight critically, although with a little shudder. She knew that if she permitted herself to think she would not have resolution enough to go on with the thing that was in her mind. But it was either that, or an unresisting acquiescence in anything that might befall. She found Mrs. Lengholm in the kitchen, and making no attempt to conceal the poker which she carried, came straight to the point. "I want the key of the wall gate," she said resolutely. Sophie abandoned the table on which she was kneading dough, and brushed her fingers calmly. "Why are you carrying that thing?" she asked imperturbably and nodded her head towards the poker which the girl was clutching with tightened fingers. "You will let me out of this place," declared Penelope. "I don't want to hurt you, Mrs. Lengholm, but if you make me use force----" She moved a step towards the other woman. Sophie's face set, and she made an angry gesture. "Don't be an idiot," she remonstrated. The girl with white face and tightened lips drew another step forward. She was afraid that her resolution might weaken. It was not that she lacked courage, but to strike the other in this way seemed to her like murder. But she told herself that she had to go through with it now. The older woman retreated, and her lips puckered in a shrill and prolonged whistle. There was the sound of something pounding fiercely along the corridor and Penelope realised her oversight. She had forgotten the dog. She wheeled abruptly to face the snarling animal and she heard a low chuckle from Mrs. Lengholm. The thing gathered itself for a leap and Penelope flung up her arm to ward off the attack, and instinctively closed her eyes. A sharp command from Sophie checked the dog, and it squatted on its haunches regarding the girl with fierce yellow eyes. "I don't blame you," said Sophie, easily, as moving back to the table she resumed kneading the dough. "In your place I would probably have tried something of the same kind. If I were you I'd go and put that thing back, and settle down. It'll be easier for you if you are a good girl." Penelope's fingers loosened, and the poker fell with a thud to the floor. There were tears of chagrin in her eyes. "You go and lie down, and have a nice sleep, now," went on Sophie with motherly complacency. "You haven't so much to worry about, anyhow. No need to try and murder the only person about the place of your own sex. If I was gone, things might be so very much worse for you."