Godfrey's unfortunate love-affair with Betty.

And so it was that when she heard his next words they took her entirely
by surprise, for it was such an unimportant, as well as unexpected,
question that the unseen speaker asked.

"Has Mrs. Crofton settled down at The Trellis House yet?"

"She's arriving to-day, I believe. When she first thought of coming here
she wrote John such a nice letter, saying she was a friend of yours, and
that you had told her about Beechfield. Luckily, The Trellis House was to
let, so John wrote and told her about it."

Then, at last, came a more intimate question. The man's voice at the
other end of the telephone became diffident--hesitating:--"Are you all
right? Everything as usual?"

She answered, drily. "Everything's quite as usual, thank you. Beechfield
never changes. Since you were last here there have only been two new
cottages built." She paused perceptibly, and then went on:--"I think that
Timmy told you that Betty was with the Scottish Women's Hospital during
the war? She's got one of the best French decorations."

Should she say anything about George? Before she could make up her mind
she heard the words--"You can't go on any longer now. Time's up." And
Radmore called out hastily:--"Till Friday then--so long!"

Janet Tosswill hung up the receiver; but she did not move away from the
telephone at once. She stood there, wondering painfully whether she had
better go along and tell Betty _now_, or whether it would be better to