Sarah Spencer sprang out of her doze in consternation , and gazed blankly at the shrieking child . Caroline came hurrying in with distended eyes . On the bed Naomi Holland lay dead . In the room where she had died Naomi Holland lay in her coffin . It was dim and hushed ; but , in the rest of the house , the preparations for the funeral were being hurried on . Through it all Eunice moved , calm and silent . Since her one wild spasm of screaming by her mother 's death-bed she had shed no tear , given no sign of grief . Perhaps , as her mother had said , she had no time . There was Christopher to be looked after . The boy 's grief was stormy and uncontrolled . He had cried until he was utterly exhausted . It was Eunice who soothed him , coaxed him to eat , kept him constantly by her . At night she took him to her own room and watched over him while he slept . When the funeral was over the household furniture was packed away or sold . The house was locked up and the farm rented . There was nowhere for the children to go , save to their uncle 's . Caroline Holland did not want them , but , having to take them , she grimly made up her mind to do what she considered her duty by them . She had five children of her own and between them and Christopher a standing feud had existed from the time he could walk . She had never liked Naomi . Few people did .
Benjamin XXXXX had not married until late in life , and his wife had declared war on his family at sight .
Caroline Christopher Eunice Holland Naomi Spencer consternation doze duty night