The far wall of this abandoned parlour seems to take a slow breath. Its faded green pattern stretches over a broad rounded swelling, with torn strips of wallpaper lifting along the curve. The surrounding cornice and heavy fireplace remain still, making the change in the wall feel all the stranger. A tarnished brass lamp hangs overhead, and pale dust sheets soften the shapes of forgotten chairs around the room.

Three children stand close together on the worn rug, each holding a flashlight. Their red, camel and green coats form a small cluster of colour beneath the damaged wall. The beams pass through suspended dust and reach across the covered furniture, while cool moonlight enters from the tall window at the left. Their lifted faces show curiosity and uncertainty as they watch the room around them. Dark floorboards lead from the doorway toward the group, preserving the generous space of the old parlour. Peeling paper, dull brass and creased cloth give the impossible swelling a setting of ordinary, weathered materials.