"Because it was Jimmy I went off with. You're all right. They know it's Jimmy."
I groaned. "That's precisely what I've been trying to prevent them knowing."
"They know that, too. I told them that you came out to look for me—like a lamb, to save me—and that you made me come back. They think that was dear of you."
She paused on it with a tenderness that touched me.
"You see," she said, "I've saved you."
I could only say, "My dear child—have you saved yourself?"
She was visibly troubled.
"I think—I think they believe me. They say they do. But they don't understand. That's why I sent for you. I want you to make them see."
"Make them see what?" I said. (It was clumsy of me.)
"What it really was," she said.