Lory chewed her lip, her sister’s fear quietly seeping into her as well even as Lory put on an angry face.

“She is a highly charitable Good Samaritan!” Lory scolded.

She knew jackall about Pennyfeather, but it sounded good, reputable, and Lory popped all her consonants like the uppity ladies did for extra credibility.

At Alice’s distance, she might be able to see the tears shining in Lory’s eyes.

“He hits you, sister?” she asked, raising her voice a bit like the previously screaming fop but in a daintier way.

Her hands brushed over Alice’s arms in silent pleading to stay, but she let them fall to her lap afterward.