"What did they do to you?"
"He said he was my father.... He put his arms around me.... And I knew!"
"Knew what?"
"That he lied. I can't explain."
"Don't try!"
Suddenly she laid her head against the butler's shoulder and cried. It was terrible to hear youth weep in this fashion. Jones put his arm about her and tried to console her.
"Horrible!" she murmured between the violent hiccoughs. "I was wrong, wrong! Forgive me!"
Unconsciously the arm sustaining her drew her closer.
"Never mind," he consoled. "Tell no one what has happened. Go about as usual. Don't let even Susan know. Whatever your poor father did was for your sake. He wanted you to be happy, without a care in the world."
"I promise." And gradually the sobs ceased. "But I feel so old, Jones, so very old. I threw over the lamp. I threw a chair through the window. They thought that it was I who had jumped out. That gave me the necessary time. I don't understand how I did it. I wasn't frightened at all till I gained the street."