But we must see what we can do." "There can't be an operation ?" said Paul.
The doctor shook his head.
"No," he said; "and even if there could, her heart wouldn't stand it." "Is her heart risky ?" asked Paul.
"Yes; you must be careful with her." "Very risky ?" "No--er--no, no! Just take care." And the doctor was gone.
Then Paul carried his mother downstairs.

She lay simply, like a child.

But when he was on the stairs, she put her arms round his neck, clinging.
"I'm so frightened of these beastly stairs," she said.
And he was frightened, too.

He would let Leonard do it another time.

He felt he could not carry her.
"He thinks it's only a tumour!" cried Annie to her mother.