"Why is he?" inquired Putty. He liked the sister who was so devoted to her brother; and had remarked with surprise that she always seemed shy and embarrassed in Sir Jasper's presence. "What has she done? Has she offended him in some way?"
Eric explained the situation, and waxed hot and indignant as he told how Sir Jasper believed Joy to have deliberately deceived him.
"She wouldn't have told him an untruth, I'm certain of that," he said, decidedly. "If she had done wrong she'd have said so. She wouldn't have dreamt of telling a story."
"I expect there's been a misunderstanding," Putty said soothingly, for Eric's face was flushed with anger as he reflected on Sir Jasper's suspicion of his dearly loved sister. "It'll all work out straight, you'll find—things always do. Right is right, you know. You don't think, do you, that the novel the puppy destroyed belonged to your other sister?"
"To Celia?" Eric cried, in astonishment.
"Yes," Putty answered, quietly.
"I never thought of that. But no, I don't think it's likely. Celia's not fond of reading. Besides, she'd never stand by—"
He paused abruptly, an expression of doubt crossing his face. Putty proceeded:
"Many people read light literature who never read anything else. I'll tell you what made me suggest your sister Celia might have been the culprit in this case. I was it a stationer's shop at T— the other day with Mr. Cole, and I saw her there with another girl, and they were looking over a heap of cheap, sensational novels. They didn't see either Mr. Cole or me, because there were a good many people in the shop, and we were behind them."
"Did Mr. Cole notice Celia?" Eric inquired.