"Something Corp said set me thinking; that is all." He had told the truth, and if what he imagined was twenty times more real to him than what was really there, how could Tommy help it?
Indignant Grizel, however, who kept such a grip of facts, would make no such excuse for him.
"Elspeth!" she called.
"There is no need to tell her," said Tommy.

But Grizel was obdurate.
"Come here, Elspeth," she cried vindictively.

"Something Corp said a moment ago has made your brother lame." Tommy was lame; that was all Elspeth and Corp heard or could think of as they ran back to him.

When did it happen?
Was he in great pain?
Had he fallen?
Oh, why had he not told Elspeth at once?
"It is nothing," Tommy insisted, a little fiercely.
"He says so," Grizel explained, "not to alarm us.

But he is suffering horribly.