Ready, Aye Ready! by Agnes Giberne — Read

CHILDREN were bundled promiscuously within cottage doors, and mothers followed them. Handcock stood up at last. He seemed an easy-going sort of individual-indolent perhaps, and not readily startled or flurried by passing events.

"O Nannie! " Susan had said faintly, at the first instant. Then she sent Susie indoors, and stood close to it herself, waiting.