It knew now, for the first time, what it had been crying for.

There was a moment of peace, during which Master Freddie pushed a handful of corn as far as the trap-door which opened into his throat.

Then there was a struggle, a gasp, a throwing up of the little hands; the trap-door had opened, but the corn had not dropped through; there was not space enough.

In other words, Freddy was choking.
The young nurse was so frightened that she almost let the small sufferer slip out of her arms.

She screamed so shrilly that half a dozen people started from their seats to see what was the matter.