Mortimer advanced to take the coat she carried and Grace crossed the floor, but Barbara waited, as if she did not see them.

Then her strained look vanished, for Mrs.Cartwright went forward with awkward speed and took her in her arms.
Cartwright saw his wife had forgotten him, and turning to the others with a commanding gesture, drove them and the servants from the hall.
When they had gone he gave Mrs.Cartwright a smile.
"I've brought her back," he said.

"Not altogether an easy job.

Barbara's ridiculous, but she can fight." He went off and Barbara clung to her mother.

She was shaking and her breath came hard.
"You were ridiculous," said Mrs.Cartwright in a gentle voice.