A Crisis of the Conscience

Elizabeth sat on the front porch on the swing with her father. The tears flowed from her face openly. Richard looked vaguely concerned, without knowing what to do about it.

"I just don't know what to do, Daddy," she said tearfully. It was silly, really. "What if Moses is innocent?"

"Moses?" Richard said slowly.

"Yes, Daddy ... Moses Jones, my husband."

"Moses Jones!" Richard cried. "Corrupt! He confessed last time you were here. He ... he's ... not good." He started hyperventilating. Alarmed, Elizabeth took him to bed.

"Stop ... him," her dad said weakly, before he fell asleep.