He came down with his knees unjointed, his head sagging on his chest; came down in a heap and tumbled forward upon his face, his arms limp, the fingers slowly spreading.
For an instant Lawler stood over him, pale, his eyes agleam.

Then when Singleton did not move he turned to Ruth, smiling faintly.
"Go home, now, Ruth, before this beast comes to life.

Go out and send the children away.

I've got something to say to Singleton." Ruth looked intently at him, saw there would be no use of pleading with him, and walked to the door, dragging the children away from it, telling them to go home.
Jimmy Singleton, terrorized by the thing that had happened to his father, needed no urging.

He ran, whimpering, toward town, the other children following.
Ruth went to the shed where she kept her pony, threw saddle and bridle on him and led him to the step, where she usually mounted.
The door of the schoolhouse was closed.