"Oh, I am perfectly well!" she said. "But you, my poor boy! What you must be going through! Don't think I don't understand!"
"Yes, it has been a greater shock to Stephen than he perhaps realises," agreed Joseph. "But billiards on this day, old fellow? Do you think you should? It isn't that I mind, but you don't want to give people a wrong impression, do you?"
Beyond casting an exasperated glance in Joseph's direction, Stephen took no notice of this. He asked Mrs. Dean if she had seen Valerie.
"My poor girlie! Yes, she ran straight into my arms when I arrived. This has been a dreadful shock to her. You know what a sensitive little puss she is, Stevie! We must do our best to spare her any more unpleasantness."
"That oughtn't to be difficult," he replied. "The police aren't likely to suspect her of having killed my uncle."
Mrs. Dean gave a shudder. "Don't! The very thought of it - ! I must say, Stephen, that if I had had any idea what was going to happen I should never, never, have allowed her to come here!"
"If," said Stephen, with an edge to his voice, "you mean to convey by that air of reproach a suggestion that I ought to have warned you, I must point out to you that my uncle's murder was not one of the planned entertainments for the party!"
"Naughty boy!" Mrs. Dean scolded, giving his hand a playful slap. "If I didn't know that wicked tongue of yours, I should be very cross with you! But I understand. I've always said that you're one of those shy people who hide their real feelings under a sort of bravado. Aren't I right, Mr. Herriard?"
"Quite right!" Joseph said, trying to slip a friendly hand in Stephen's arm, and being frustrated. "Stephen loves to try to shock us all, only his old uncle won't be shocked!"
"Ah, that's the way with so many of the young people today," said Mrs. Dean, shaking her head.