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 “They will batter the door down directly,” said Minora. “I’ll speak to them out of the window, if I can make them listen to me.”

Minora ran downstairs, threw the window open wide, and looked down on the crowd.

They stopped battering at the door when they saw her, though they went on shouting as loudly as ever.

The Crotchet was still waving the wand in the air.

Minora tried to make herself heard, but it was useless.

“Is Father Time coming?” called the Major.

Minora did not answer. Minora was watching the wand waving backwards and forwards.

She shut the window, hid beneath it a couple of seconds, then opened the window suddenly. She stretched out her arm, grasped the stick firmly, and pulled it away from the Crotchet. Then she shut the window again, and ran down the steps to Major C, who was sitting with his head in his hands, looking white and old and worried.

“We shall never escape Minora,” said the Major, “they will batter the house down.”

Minora laughed. She no longer felt a bit afraid.

“It’s all right,” she said. “Listen, they have stopped shouting. I know all about it now. Hold this wand.”

The Major took the wand in his hand. It had a wonderful effect upon him. He pulled himself together, he sat up straight, then he rose and marched upstairs.

“I will speak to them myself,” he said, “I will tell them to go away.”

He opened the window and leant out but the crowd had disappeared, only Father Time stood on the doorstep.

“There you are,” said Father Time. “I’m sorry to trouble you, but I left my wand. Oh, thank you so much. I’ll be back again directly. Hope you are getting on all right.” And, taking the wand, the old man hurried away before the Major could say a word. 42