"He is a new man," Beth explained. "He is setting us an example. We must work, and be a credit to him."
Judith's energy returned. She would work, she said. The typewriter was her own; it was paid for. She would apply herself to master it. Were they still rich, even then she would go to work. She must occupy herself, and forget. And as for Beth, before long Jim would come and claim her.
Then Judith remembered Mather's note, and the trouble deepened. If Jim had gone wrong, how would Beth, innocent Beth, bear that? She stole a glance at her sister. Beth was listening.
"Father, is that you?" she called.
The Colonel's voice answered from the hall. "I just came down for something." They heard him go up-stairs again.
"He came down very quietly," said Beth. "I heard him in the back parlour. Poor father! He is very brave."
Then both sat silent, thinking. "We have good blood," said Judith at last with a tremor of pride in her voice. "We will show we are not afraid of what may happen."
"Yes," Beth answered. "—Hush, what was that?"
"I heard nothing," Judith said.