〃Go upstairs； mother；〃 he said； 〃I'll go an' see where he
is。〃
〃To……om！ To……o……om！〃 rang out the shrill；
unearthly cry of the small woman。 There was only the noise of
water and the mooing of uneasy cattle； and the long yelping of
the dog； clamouring in the darkness。
Fred Brangwen splashed out into the flood with a lantern。 His
mother stood on a chair in the doorway； watching him go。 It was
all water； water； running； flashing under the lantern。
〃Tom！ Tom！ To……o……om！〃 came her long； unnatural
cry； ringing over the night。 It made her son feel cold in his
soul。
And the unconscious； drowning body of the father rolled on
below the house； driven by the black water towards the
high…road。
Tilly appeared； a skirt over her nightdress。 She saw her
mistress clinging on the top of a chair in the open doorway； a
candle burning on the table。
〃God's sake！〃 cried the old serving…woman。 〃The cut's burst。
That embankment's broke down。 Whativer are we goin' to do！〃
Mrs。 Brangwen watched her son； and the lantern； go along the
upper causeway to the stable。 Then she saw the dark figure of a
horse： then her son hung the lamp in the stable； and the light
shone out faintly on him as he untackled the mare。 The mother
saw the soft blazed face of the horse thrust forward into the
stable…door。 The stables were still above the floo