Facial Justice by L. P. Hartley

snuffed them out altogether. No one would go at the risk of life and limb. Would passengers who had already taken tickets get their money back? Or would they lose their ticket money and their fine money as well? Jael listened, and common sense told her that her best plan would be to try to get her money back. But it would be a complicated and time-taking business and the official would be short with her, as he had been when he issued the ticket. He had made her feel that she was out of step, letting down the side. But that slight embarrassment would soon be over, it didn't really count. What did count was the simple fact that she wanted to go, and that mysteriously the threat of the accident only inflamed her desire. People might say what they liked; she would go! The worst moment was when she had to break the news to her brother. "I can't understand you," he grumbled. "Ever since you started this face-saving business you've been a different creature. By rights I should report you to the Ministry of Psychia-try." "But you wouldn't do that, would you?" asked Jael anxiously. "Only because you are my sister and Relations Needn't Tell." "Relations Needn't Tell," repeated Jael. "But they can, of course, and I should be doing it for your sake, not mine." "Of course," said Jael, automatically. "Don't think I don't realize the difficulty of your position. As a Failed Alpha you represent the Voluntary Principle. The Voluntary Principle, as the Dictator has said, is like the appendix in the human body--it is of no use, but unless it gives serious trouble it had better be retained. If it gives serious trouble--" "Yes?" said Jael. "Well, there might be an order for all appendices to be removed. By clinging to your face--" "I don't exactly cling to it," objected Jael. "Well, by refusing to be Betafied, you have shown that your Voluntary Principle is unhealthy, and if you now go on this expedition you will prove it is inflamed. Besides--" "Besides what?" Jael asked. "Besides there is the danger of an accident." Jael thought a moment and her eyes brightened. "Oh no," she said decidedly. "Not to me. Nothing ever happens to me. Have you ever known anything happen to me, Joab? And if it did--" "If it did?" repeated her brother. "Well, it might be rather fun." Joab shook his head disgustedly. "I don't know what's come over you, Jael," he said. "If worry had not been forbidden, except in certain well-defined cases, I should worry about you. I might ask for a permit to worry--" "Oh, please don't do that!" "I might, if I thought it would bring you to your senses. Jael, I sometimes suspect you of secret worrying." Jael changed color. "Of course I don't." "Worry is Waste of Time," said Joab. "Worry is Waste of Time," repeated Jael. "What makes you think I worry?" "I can see it in your face. If you had been Betafied--" "Yes!" "You wouldn't show it. Betas don't show their feelings." "I know. That's what I don't like." "But why? They can show feelings. The choice is almost endless. You can have any one of ninety-nine expressions." "I still prefer my own." "Jael, aren't you rather conceited? Let me read you some of them," Joab went to a filing cabinet and opened a drawer. He took out a sheet of cardboard, rather like those which customs-house officers used to give travelers from abroad to remind them of what they had to declare. "Amiable," he began, "affable, agreeable. What's wrong with any of those?" "But I don't always feel amiable, or affable, or agreeable." "Perhaps not, but wouldn't you rather look as if you did? Well, here are some more--compounds of Beta. Beta--Beauty (that's a general favorite), Beta--Belle, Beta--Buxom, Beta-Birdie (perhaps that wouldn't suit you), Beta--Bright--" Jael shuddered. "I should hate to be always bright." "But other people would like you to be. Then there's Busy Beta (a play on busy bee, of course), British Beta--that's a good, hard-wearing expression, I believe." "I don't like any of them," said Jael. "Not for