And here it was that the quarrelling continued to its culmination in the scene just ended.
"Not another day," said Rachel, "nor a night--if I can be ready before morning!" Being still a woman with some strength of purpose, Mrs.Minchin did not stop at idle words.

The interval between the slamming of doors below and another noise at the top of the house was not one of many minutes.

The other noise was made by Rachel and her empty trunk upon the loftiest and the narrowest flight of stairs; one of the maids opened their door an inch.
"I am sorry if I disturbed you," their mistress said.

"These stairs are so very narrow.

No, thank you, I can manage quite well." And they heard her about until they slept.
It was no light task to which Rachel had set her hand; she was going back to Australia by the first boat, and her packing must be done that night.