But it was over now⁠—it was over⁠—that part of it. All that was wanted now was a straight face, a little acting, and some straightforward lying. “God knows, I can lie all right,” Stephen thought, “though nobody knows it.” What lie was it he had invented about the sack, tired as he was? Oh yes, that John had borrowed it, and that John had first emptied the rubbish into the river.⁠ ⁠… Yes, he had coached John on the steps about that⁠ ⁠… told him to keep it up if necessary. Old John had looked funny when he said that. John didn’t like lies, even necessary ones. A bit of a prig, old John.