"Yes, it's all very fine," said Lucy, tears coming into her eyes as she spoke; "and of course I'm proud of Joe; but I reckon the Royal Humane Society could not have brought him to life again if he had been drowned; and he is the only brother I've got, and I can't help thinking how different it might have been."
"Well, really, Lucy, you are silly to cry over what has not happened," said plain-spoken, practical Beryl. "Think what it is for this poor little girl to lose her father. That is a real thing, and far worse."
"Ah, poor child, I should not wonder if she were to lose her mother too," said Lucy, showing no resentment of her young lady's freedom of speech, to which she was probably well accustomed.
"What do you mean, Lucy?" said Beryl, looking frightened.
"The poor lady is very ill," said Lucy; "for a lady they say she is; and, indeed, I was sure of it as soon as I saw her pretty white hands with the rings upon them. The doctor says the shock may kill her."
"Oh, Lucy, what a dreadful thing!" said Beryl, tears coming into her eyes at the thought. "Whatever will become of this poor little thing if she loses her mother too!"
"I can't tell, I'm sure," replied Lucy. "Perhaps she has friends who will take care of her."
"Make haste and dress me, please, Lucy," said Beryl, in a tone of decision. "I must go and speak to papa."
But Beryl found it no easy matter to get the quiet talk with her father upon which she had set her mind. All the morning people kept coming to the house to consult him on various matters, and just as she thought she had secured his ear, he was summoned to go down to the beach to view a body which had come ashore, and which was believed to be that of the lady's husband.
In vain, Beryl turned for sympathy to Miss Hollys. She was far too absorbed in her own sensations, and would talk of nothing but the terrible shock she had sustained, and the great inconvenience it was to have strangers ill in the house.