Ammamma asked the children to sit upstairs in the middle room and gave them a metal dice to play with. Since the lights had grown dim, she lit a brass lamp as well. Muthassi called out to Ammamma to close all the small windows immediately. Using all her force, Ammamma slammed the windows shut. She insisted that all of them should say their prayers and sit quietly. They took shelter in the southern room downstairs. They sat on the bed and mattresses. The servant woman took refuge in the makeshift toilet adjacent to the room.