When they got into the next room they clasped one another and shook with silent laughter.

As the door between the rooms did not shut tightly, they adjured one another, by dances and gestures, not to laugh loud.

Blue danced round the table on her toes as a means of stifling her laughter.

Then they both ran to the foot of the attic stair and gripped each other's arms very tight by way of explaining that the situation was desperate, and that one or other must control her voice sufficiently to call Eliza.
The dining-room they were in was built and furnished in the same style as the kitchen, save that here the wood was painted slate-colour and a clean rag carpet covered the floor.

The upper staircase, very steep and dark, opened off it at the further end.