Yesterday I was standing close to him, shoving the earth back to the men as he got it down.

Suddenly he shouted, 'Run, Wilson, the roof is coming down!' I could not help bolting a few yards, for the earth came pattering down as he spoke; then I looked round and saw him standing there, by the light of the lamp, like those figures you see holding up pillars; I forget what they call them--catydigs, or something of that sort." "Caryatides," Isobel put in.
"Yes, that is the name.

Some timber had given way above him, and he was holding it up with his arms.

I should say that there must have been half a ton of it, and he said, as quietly as possible, 'Get two of those short poles, Wilson, and put up one on each side of me.

I can hold it a bit, but don't be longer than you can help about it.' I managed to shove up the timber, so that he could slip out before it came down.