her supper; but she was fond of macaroni cheese.
Anna would never have thought of making that dish
with any cheese but Parmesan, and she had no Parmesan
left in the house. That fact gave her an excellent
excuse for going off now to the Stores, and taking
Mr. Blake's letter with her. If she got an opportunity
of showing it, it would make clear to Mr. Head what
a good fellow was Miss Rose's betrothed, and what a
kind heart he had.

And so, but for Rose's remark as to her distaste for
meat, Jervis Blake's letter would not have been taken
by old Anna out of the Trellis House, for it was the
lack of Parmesan cheese in the store cupboard which
finally decided the matter.

After putting on her green velvet bonnet and her
thick, warm brown jacket, she folded up the sheets of
French notepaper and put them in an inside pocket.

The fact that it was early closing day did not disturb
Anna, for though most of the Witanbury tradespeople
were so ungracious that when their shops were
shut they would never put themselves out to oblige
an old customer, the owner of the Stores, if he was
in -- and he nearly always did stay indoors on early
closing day -- was always willing to go into the closed
shop and get anything that was wanted. He was not
one to turn good custom away.

The back door was opened by Alfred Head himself.
"Ah, Frau Bauer! Come into the passage." He spoke
in German, but in spite of his cordial words she felt
the lack of welcome in his voice. "Is there anything
I can do for you?"

"Yes," she said. "I want half a pound of Parmesan
cheese, and you might also give me a pound of butter."

[[228]]

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v?