Breakfast was a curious meal. Every one was very polite.

«May I get you some more coffee, Miss Brent?»

«Miss Claythorne, a slice of ham?»

«Another piece of bacon?»

Six people, all outwardly self-possessed and normal.

And within? Thoughts that ran round in a circle like squirrels in a cage…

«What next? What next? Who? Which?»

«Would it work? I wonder. It’s worth trying. If there’s time. My God, if there’s time…»

«Religious mania, that’s the ticket… Looking at her, though, you can hardly believe it… Suppose I’m wrong…»

«It’s crazy – every thing’s crazy. I’m going crazy. Wool disappearing – red silk curtains – it doesn’t make sense. I can’t get the hang of it…»

«The damned fool, he believed every word I said to him. It was easy… I must be careful, though, very careful…»

«Six of those little china figures… only six – how many will there be by tonight?..»

«Who’ll have the last egg?»

«Marmalade?»

«Thanks, can I give you some ham?»

Six people, behaving normally at breakfast.