All the children were by this time strung up to a pitch of heroism that would have been impossible to them in their ordinary condition.

Robert and Cyril held the cow by the horns; and Jane, when she was quite sure that their end of the cow was quite secure, consented to stand by, ready to hold the cow by the tail should occasion arise.
Anthea, holding the saucer, now advanced towards the cow.

She remembered to have heard that cows, when milked by strangers, are susceptible to the soothing influence of the human voice.

So, clutching her saucer very tight, she sought for words to whose soothing influence the cow might be susceptible.

And her memory, troubled by the events of the night, which seemed to go on and on for ever and ever, refused to help her with any form of words suitable to address a Jersey cow in.
'Poor pussy, then.