"When I saw Jimmie lying there, dead" - she faltered, and her
shoulders drooped forlornly -" the world stopped for me."

"Hysterical nonsense!" McIntyre was careful to avoid Barbara's eyes;
her indignant snort had been indicative of her feelings. "Keep to
your room, Helen, until you regain some common sense. It is as well
our friends should not see you in your present frame of mind."

Helen regarded her father under lowered lids. "Very well," she said
submissively and walked toward the door; on reaching it she paused,
and spoke over her shoulder. "Don't try me too far, father."

McIntyre stared for a full minute at the doorway through which Helen
took her departure.

"Well, what the -" He pulled himself up short in the middle of the
ejaculation and turned to Barbara. "Go and get dressed," he directed.
"We must leave here in twenty minutes."

"I am not going," she announced.

"Not going!" McIntyre frowned, then laughed abruptly. "Now, don't
tell me you were engaged to Jimmie Turnbull, also."

"I think you are horrid!" Barbara's small foot came down with a
vigorous stamp.

"Well, perhaps I am," her father admitted rather wearily. "Don't
keep us waiting, Babs; the car will be here in less than twenty
minutes."