the banks would be open again on Monday. But the
Dean was not quite infallible. How often had he and
she agreed that Germany would never, _never_ dream of
going to war with any of her peaceful neighbours!

She read over the letter she had written:

@@@@"Dear James, -- I enclose a cheque for twenty
@@@@pounds. Would you kindly get it cashed for me, and
@@@@would you bring down the money tomorrow when
@@@@you come? Of course I should like the money, if
@@@@possible, in gold, but still it will do if you can get
@@@@me two five-pound notes and the rest in gold and
@@@@silver. I find that several people to whom I owe small
@@@@amounts are anxious to be paid, and they do not seem
@@@@to care about taking cheques. What strange times
@@@@we live in! Both Rose and I long to see you and hear
@@@@all the news.
@@@@"Your affectionate aunt,
@@@@"Mary Otway."

James Hayley always called her "Aunt Mary,"
though as a matter of fact he was the child of a first
cousin.

She got up from her table, and began folding up the
sheets of newspaper lying on the floor. She did not
want poor old Anna to see the great staring headlines
telling of the defeat of the Germans. Having
folded the paper, and put it away in an unobtrusive
corner, she went upstairs for her hat. She felt that it
would do her good to go out into the air, and post the
letter herself.

And then, as she came downstairs, she heard the
gate of the Trellis House open and swing to. Rose

[[89]]

p088 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p089w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p090

v?