“Of course, she just had to say, "I know my way",” commented Antonia gloomily, as Giles, disregarding her request, went with Violet to the front door. “I used to collect her clichés at first, but it got so boring I gave it up. This is a most sanguinary affair, Leslie.”
“I know,” said Leslie. “Only don't worry, old thing. I'm absolutely sure Kenneth didn't do it, and they practically never convict the wrong person. If there's the least doubt -”
“They give them penal servitude,” said Antonia in a hollow voice. “You needn't tell me. And he'd rather be hanged than that.”
Leslie patted her shoulder, and said with a gulp: “They won't. I - I'm certain they won't.” Then, as Giles came back into the room, she said: “If that sickening female has gone I'll push off too. Mr Carrington, you'll look after Tony, won't you, and try and cheer her up? Goodbye, Tony, darling. I'll come round first thing in the morning. Good-bye, Mr Carrington.”
The door closed firmly behind her. Antonia was left alone with her cousin. She said forlornly: “You needn't be afraid I'm going to cry, because I'm not.”
He sat down beside her. “There's nothing to cry about, chicken,” he said.
She turned a rather warn face towards him. “Oh, Giles, I have such a ghastly fear that he may have done it after all!”
“Have you, Tony? Would you like to bet on it?” he asked, smiling.
Her eyes questioned him. You don't think he did?”
“I'm very nearly certain he didn't,” replied Giles Carrington.