"Why, Daddy, if you're going to kill anyone it will have to be dear Aunt Judy. She's the one who has made the alias. The poor man himself—who by the way is not here to answer for himself and explain—hasn't done any conceivable thing wrong that we know of—even you Daddy know that; except not having a house and not bragging of his clubs!"
This seemed to strike her father; it touched him on the point of Justice. The lightness of his daughter's laugh reassured him.
"True!" he said. "That is quite true. I was too hasty. And he saved my little girl's life!" He rose from the table and putting his arm round her shoulders kissed her. Then they went into the drawing-room.
Joy bore up bravely for the rest of the evening. But when she was in bed and assured that she was alone, the reaction came. She was as cold as a stone and trembled all over. Putting her face down into her pillow she pulled the sheet over her head and wept her very heart out.
"Oh what it might have been if all went well. But what might be if Daddy took some queer idea … and quarrelled …!"
