Esther came nearer and spoke in a lower tone.

"But before you go," she said, "please don't forget to replace Aunt Amy's ring.

If she were to find it gone it would be no joke but a serious shock, as I suppose you know." Mrs.Coombe laughed.

And Esther realised that a laugh was the last thing she had expected.

For anger, evasion, denial, she had been prepared.
Mary would probably storm and bluster in her ineffective way--and return the ring.