e other were some
cottages. To turn back would be undignified, so she decided to pass them
with a distant and lordly bow.

Unfortunately for this, she could not resist the temptation to glance at
Martin Trevor--she had not seen him for some time, and it was surprising
to meet him in the middle of the week, as he generally came home only
for week-ends. That glance was her undoing--a certain cordiality must
have crept into it, inspired by his broad shoulders and handsome,
swarthy face, for Mr. Pratt was immediately encouraged, and pounced. He
broke away from Trevor to Joanna's side.

"Oh, Miss Godden ... so glad to meet you. I--I never thanked you
properly last week for your generosity--your munificence. Thought of
writing, but somehow felt that--felt that inadequate.... Mr. Trevor,
I've told you about Miss Godden ... our harmonium ..."

He had actually seized Joanna's hand. She pulled it away. What a
wretched undersized little chap he was. She could have borne his
gratitude if only he had been a real man, tall and dark and straight
like the young fellow who was coming up to her.

"Please don't, Mr. Pratt. I wish you wouldn't make all this tedious
fuss."

She turned towards Martin Trevor with a greeting in her eyes. But to her
surprise she saw that he had fallen back. The Rector had fallen back
too, and the two men stood together, as when she had first come up to
them.

Joanna realized that she had missed the chance of an introduction. Well,
it didn't matter. She really couldn't endure Mr. Pratt and his ghastly
gratitude. She put her stiffest bow into practice and walked on.

For the rest of the day she tried to account for young Trevor's mid-week
appearance. Her curiosity was soon satisfied, though she was at a
disadvantage in having no male to bring her news from the Woolpack.
However, she made good use of other people's males, and by the same
evening was possessed of the whole story. Martin Trevor had been ill in
London with pleurisy, and the doctor said his lungs were in danger and
that he must give up office work and lead an open-air life. He was going
to live with his father for a time, and help him farm North Farthing
House--they were taking in a bit more land there, and buying sheep.

Sec.4

That October the Farmers' Club Dinner was held as usual at the Woolpack.
There had been some controversy about asking Joanna--there was
controversy every year, but this year the difference lay in the issue,
f