Her father went quickly over to her and put his arms round her in a loving protective way.

She laid her head on his shoulder for a minute and seemed comforted.

Presently she called to me: "Malcolm, turn up the light!" I carried out her orders, and could see that, though she had been crying, her eyes were now dry.

Her father saw it too and looked glad.

He said to us in a grave tone: "Now we had better prepare for our great work.