Her arms and legs and back, and even her tear-reddened face, felt stiff with her resolution not to let mother be worried if she could help it.
She opened the door softly.
'Yes, mother ?' she said.
'Dearest,' said mother, 'the Lamb--' Anthea tried to be brave.

She tried to say that the Lamb and Robert were out.

Perhaps she tried too hard.

Anyway, when she opened her mouth no words came.

So she stood with it open.