Shea went down as if he had been shot.

I was afraid of my life he would clutch at my skirts as he fell or squirm up against me after he was down.

But he lay quite still.

By the way, Mary, I suppose your dress was ruined ?' Mary O'Dwyer was quite subdued.
'It was torn,' she said meekly enough.
'Have you another one ?' 'Of course I have.

I've three others, besides some old ones.' 'Well, then, you'd better go and put on one of them.