been, since the accident.’

‘Yes. Is it calming down?’

‘I don’t know. It’s a shock, of course. But I don’t believe mother minds. I really don’t believe she takes any notice. And what’s so funny, she used to be all for the children — nothing mattered, nothing whatever mattered but the children. And now, she doesn’t take any more notice than if it was one of the servants.’

‘No? Did it upset YOU very much?’

‘It’s a shock. But I don’t feel it very much, really. I don’t feel any different. We’ve all got to die, and it doesn’t seem to make any great difference, anyhow, whether you die or not. I can’t feel any GRIEF you know. It leaves me cold. I can’t