He led the muffled form into the chamber where Amy and Annie slept. The door closed, and for several minutes the three children stood regarding each other, alarmed, mute. Then their father joined them. He looked about in an absent way, slowly drew off his overcoat, and when Amy offered to take it, bent and kissed her cheek. The girl was startled to hear him sob and to see tears starting from his eyes. Turning suddenly away, he stood before the fire and made a pretence of warming himself; but his sobs overmastered him. He leaned his arms on the mantel-piece. ‘Shall I pour out the tea, father?’ Amy ventured to ask, when there was again perfect silence. ‘Haven’t you had yours?’ he replied, half-facing her. ‘Not yet.’ ‘Get it, then—all of you. Yes, you can pour me out a cup—and put another on the little tray. Is this stuff in the saucepan ready?’ ‘Mrs. Eagles said it would be in five minutes.’. ‘All right. Get on with your eatin’, all of you.’ He went to Mrs. Eagles’ room and talked there for a short time. Presently Mrs. Eagles herself came out and silently removed from the saucepan a mixture of broth and meat. Having already taken the cup of tea to Clara, Hewett now returned to her with this food. She was sitting by the fire, her face resting upon her hands. The lamp was extinguished; she had said that the firelight was enough. John deposited his burden on the table, then touched her shoulder gently and spoke in so soft a voice that one would not have recognised it as his. ‘You’ll try an’ eat a little, my dear? Here’s somethin’ as has been made particular. After travellin’—just a spoonful or two.’ Clara expressed reluctance. ‘I don’t feel hungry, father. Presently, perhaps.’ ‘Well, well; it do want to cool a bit. Do you feel able to sit up?’ ‘Yes. Don’t take so much trouble, father. I’d rather you left me alone.’ The tone was not exactly impatient; it spoke a weary indifference to everything and every person. ‘Yes, I’ll go away, dear. But you’ll eat just a bit? If you don’t like this, you must tell me, and I’ll get something you could fancy.’ ‘It’ll do well enough. I’ll eat it presently; I promise you.’ John hesitated before going. ‘Clara—shall you mind Amy and Annie comin’ to sleep here? If you’d rather, we’ll manage it somehow else.’ ‘No. What does it matter? They can come when they like, only they mustn’t want me to talk to them.’