"You won't have to," said Stephen. "The body will be removed to the police-mortuary. Probably has been by this time."
This brutal truth made Joseph wince. He said: "Stephen, Stephen!" in an imploring voice.
"I think," said Maud, getting up, "that I shall go and sit in the drawing-room with my book."
Joseph glanced at her with humorous affection. "Yes, my dear, do that!" he said. "Try to put it all out of your mind! How I wish that I could do the same! But I am afraid the Inspector will want to see you."
"Oh yes!" she said, uninterested.
"There is nothing to be afraid of, you know. He is quite human."
"I am not afraid, thank you, Joseph," she replied placidly.
Paula barely waited until she had left the room before ejaculating: "If I've got to listen to extracts from that ghastly book on top of everything else, I think my nerve will crack!"
"Keep calm, sister: Aunt has lost the book."
"Stephen!" exclaimed Joseph. "No, that's too bad of you! If you've hidden it, you must give it back to her at once."