‘Really!’ said Gudrun.

‘In every possible way. If you wouldn’t let them smash their pots on the table, if you wouldn’t let them drag the kitten about with a string round its neck, if you wouldn’t give them whatever they asked for, every mortal thing — then there was a shine on, and their mother coming in asking — ”What’s the matter with him? What have you done to him? What is it, Darling?” And then she’d turn on you as if she’d trample you under her feet. But she didn’t trample on me. I was the only one that could do anything with her demons — for she wasn’t going to be bothered with them herself. No, SHE took no trouble for them. But they must just have their way, they mustn’t be spoken to. And Master Gerald was the