The hut itself had not been hit, but the roof had been torn off by the force of the explosion, and the others had been killed by the falling beams.

Joan wanted to return with them, but Madame Lelanne had assumed an air of authority, and told her she would be more useful where she was.

From the top of the steps they threw down bundles of straw, on which they laid the wounded men, and Joan tended them, while Madame Lelanne and the little chemist went up and down continuously.
Before evening the place, considering all things, was fairly habitable.
Madame Lelanne brought down the great stove from the hut; and breaking a pane of glass in the barred window, they fixed it up with its chimney and lighted it.

From time to time the turmoil above them would break out again: the rattling, and sometimes a dull rumbling as of rushing water.
But only a faint murmur of it penetrated into the cellar.

Towards night it became quiet again.
How long Joan remained there she was never quite sure.