Joanna was roused automatically by this return to her old surroundings.
She began to think of her trap waiting for her outside Rye station. She
wondered if Ellen would have come to meet her. Yes, there she was on the
platform ... wearing a green frock, too. She'd come out of her blacks.
Joanna thrilled to a faint shock. She wondered how many other
revolutions Ellen had carried out in her absence.

"Well, old Jo ..." It seemed to her that Ellen's kiss was warmer than
usual. Or was it that her own heart was so warm...?

Ellen found her remarkably silent. She had expected an outpouring of
Joanna's adventures, achievements and triumphs, combined with a
desperate catechism as to just how much ruin had befallen Ansdore while
she was away. Instead of which Joanna seemed for the first time in
Ellen's experience, a little dreamy. She had but little to say to Rye's
one porter, or to Peter Crouch, the groom. She climbed up on the front
seat of the trap, and took the reins.

"You're looking well," said Ellen--"I can see your change has done you
good."

"Reckon it has, my dear."

"Were you comfortable at the hotel?"

This, if anything, should have started Joanna off, but all she said
was--

"It wasn't a bad place."

"Well, if you don't want to talk about your own affairs," said Ellen to
herself--"you can listen to mine, for a change. Joanna,"--she added
aloud--"I came to meet you, because I've got something special to tell
you."

"What's that?"

"Perhaps you can guess."

Joanna dreamily shook her head.

"Well, I'm thinking of getting married again."

"Married!"

"Yes--it's eighteen months since poor Arthur died," sighed the devoted
widow, "and--perhaps you've noticed--Tip Ernley's been getting very fond
of me."

"Yes, I had noticed.... I was wondering why you didn't tell."

"There was nothing to tell. He couldn't propose to me till he had
something definite to do. Now he's just been offered the post of agent
on the Duke of Wiltshire's estate--a perfectly splendid position. Of
course, I told him all about my first marriage"--she glanced
challengingly at her sister--"but he's a perfect dear, and he saw at
once I'd been more sinned against than sinning. We're going to be
married this summer."

"I'm unaccountable glad."

Ellen gave her a queer look.

"You take it very calmly, Jo."

"Well, I'd been expecting it all along."

"You won't mind my going away and leaving you?"

"Reckon you'll have to go where yo