was no use. What's the good of
talking any more about it? I've talked till I'm blue--and yet you
will no doubt go and do the same thing again.

"I ought not to have to tell you that if you do come across any
stray Undergraduates, don't go for them. Nothing will come of it.
Try and keep this in your noddle. Go for Dr. Middleton--men of that
age are often silliest about girls--and don't simply go mooning
along. Then why did you go and lose your umbrella? You have nothing
in this wide world to think of but to keep yourself and your baggage
together.

"It's the second you have lost this year. I can't afford another.
You must 'borrow' one. Your new winter rig-out is more than I can
afford. I'm being dunned for bills that have only run two years. Why
can't I make you realise all this? What is the matter with you? Give
the maid who waits on you half a crown, nothing to the butler. Lady
D. is sure to see you off--and you can leave the taxi to her. Leave
your laundry bill at the back of a drawer--as if you had mislaid it.
I will send you a P.O. for your ticket to Stow."

Here Gwen made a pause, for her heart was thumping loudly.

"There's nothing for it but to go to Nana's cottage at Stow for the
moment. I know it's beastly dull for you--but it's partly your own
fault that you are to have a dose of Stow. I'm full up for two
months and more, but I'll see what I can do for you at once. I am
writing to Mrs. Greenleafe Potten, to ask her if she will have you
for a week on Monday, but I'm afraid she won't. At Stow you won't
need anything but a few stamps and a penny for Sunday collection.
I've written to Nana. She only charges me ten shillings a week for
you. She will mend up your clothes and make two or three blouses for
you into the bargain. Don't attempt to help her. They must be done
properly. Get on with that flannelette frock for the Serb relief.
Address me still here.

"Your very loving,

"Mother."

Nana's cottage at Stow! Thatch smelling of the November rains; a stuffy
little parlour with a smoky fire. Forlorn trees outside shedding their
last leaves into the ditch at the side of the lane. Her old nurse,
nearly stone deaf, as her sole companion.

Gwen felt her knees trembling under