The women shrieked, and ran hither and thither through the hall, pursued each by her own horror, and snapped at by every other in passing.

If one threw herself down in hysterical despair, she was instantly poked or clawed or nibbled up again.
Though they were quite as frightened at first, the men did not run so fast; and by and by some of them finding they were only glared at, and followed, and pushed, began to summon up courage once more, and with courage came impudence.

The tapir had the big footman in charge: the fellow stood stock-still, and let the beast come up to him, then put out his finger and playfully patted his nose.

The tapir gave the nose a little twist, and the finger lay on the floor.
Then indeed did the footman run.
Gradually the avengers grew more severe, and the terrors of the imagination were fast yielding to those of sensuous experience, when a page, perceiving one of the doors no longer guarded, sprang at it, and ran out.

Another and another followed.