Alice cringed again as Mr. Meijer continued to accuse her husband. Yes, she had been very afraid of Tobias that day. She was very afraid of him now. But people didn't need to know that. She didn't want to be the center of this unfolding drama that seemed to draw in more and more people. But Miss Pennyfeather left the boat to argue with Tobias, saying her own fight too now, and it seemed even less likely that she could just go quietly and deal with whatever the consequences of her disobedience in private, without added humiliation.

She looked over to Lory and felt a lump in her throat when she saw that her cousin was crying. "He didn't... he doesn't... please don't cry, Lory." She managed to whisper.