the latch Quotes

“The only way is to make a blind dash, head down so as to bore through the blackness. He gropes, he finds the latch at the door. At the sound of his steps, the hens flutter and cluck in their roost. Poil de Carotte cries out, ‘Pipe down, will you, it’s me,’ shuts the door and runs.”

“Jess swallowed, feeling her heart pump and thud. She crept to the door. Put her hand to the latch. Lifted. Across the room the old woman stirred and mumbled. Jess became a statue, but it was all right. The latch clicked up and the door opened.”