It was unlike her.
Perhaps what really affected them so profoundly was the thought that a Forsyte should have let go her grasp on life.

If one, then why not all! It was a full hour before they could make up their minds to tell Timothy.

If only it could be kept from him! If only it could be broken to him by degrees! And long they stood outside his door whispering together.

And when it was over they whispered together again.
He would feel it more, they were afraid, as time went on.

Still, he had taken it better than could have been expected.