“Get out!” cried Emily fiercely, punching her in the chest. “She’s my mother!”

“Get out!” shouted all the others. “She’s our mother!”

Margaret fell back again into the shadows: and Mrs. Thornton was too distracted to be as shocked as she would normally have been.

Mr. Thornton, however, was just sane enough to take in the situation. “Come on, Margaret!” he said. “Margaret’s my pal! Let’s go and look for a cab!”

He took the girl’s arm, bowing his fine shoulders, and walked off with her up the platform.