"Paula dear, did Ford tell you that?"
"I knew it! I tried to get in, before I went downstairs! He wouldn't answer when I knocked."
"Oh, Paula, why didn't you tell us?" he exclaimed.
"I didn't think anything of it. Only that he was sulking. We'd had a row. You know what he was! Besides, I did tell you, when you asked me to go up and call him."
"Too late!" he said tragically.
"It must always have been. I suppose he was dead when I knocked on the door."
He winced. "Paula dear, not that hard voice!"
There was a look of Stephen in her face as she answered: "It's no use expecting me to sentimentalise. I'm honest, anyway. I didn't like him. I don't even care that he's dead. He was mean and tyrannical."
This was very shocking to Joseph. He looked really pained, and rather anxious too, and said: "We mustn't let ourselves become hysterical, Paula. You don't mean that. No, no, your old uncle knows you better than that!"
She shrugged. "I hate being idealised."