At first I’d thought I’d be sent away, and had made tentative plans to return to the Golden Bird, but when the housekeeper made it clear I could be of use to her, I agreed willingly — not only on her account but because of Rupert. There was Dame Jenny, too, who had mercifully been spared, but had become a semi-invalid. The considerable part of the house that remained was comparatively untouched, but the constant walking to and fro of workmen employed in building a back wall as ballast for the surviving wings of the mansion, and for levelling as effectively as possible the hundredweights of rubble left, meant continual extra cleaning and brushing up. There was as well the carrying up of trays to the bedroom where Rupert was taken following the first two days spent in the library, and to Dame Jenny. A specialist, who came from Truro, sent a nurse along for a week or two. She also had to be looked after, and Mrs Treen daily seemed to be showing more strain. The housemaid had left, and only a small staff remained, so I would not, in any case, have deserted her.
