"But they're probably the worst people in the world and the very
greatest criminals," Beale pleasantly urged. "I'm not the man, my dear,
not to let you know it."
"Well, it doesn't prevent them from loving me. They love me
tremendously." Maisie turned crimson to hear herself.
Her companion fumbled; almost any one--let alone a daughter--would
have seen how conscientious he wanted to be. "I dare say. But do you
know why?" She braved his eyes and he added: "You're a jolly good
pretext."
"For what?" Maisie asked.
"Why, for their game. I needn't tell you what that is."