ughter. Ellen did not believe
her--she had told her long-guarded secret and her sister did not believe
it. She thought it just something Joanna had made up to salve her
pride--and nothing would ever make her believe it, for she was a woman
who had been loved and knew that she was well worth loving.

Sec.2

Both Ellen and Joanna were a little afraid that Arthur's treatment of
his widow might disestablish her in public opinion. People would think
that she must have behaved unaccountable badly to be served out like
that. But the effects were not so disastrous as might have been
expected. Ellen, poor and forlorn, in her graceful weeds, without
complaining or resentful words, soon won the neighbours' compassion. It
wasn't right of Alce to have treated her so--showed an unforgiving
nature--if only the real story could be known, most likely folks would
see.... There was also a mild scandal at his treatment of Joanna. "Well,
even if he loved her all the time when he was married to her sister, he
needn't have been so brazen about it.... Always cared for Joanna more'n
he ought and showed it more'n he ought."

Joanna was not worried by these remarks--she brushed them aside. Her
character was gossip-proof, whereas Ellen's was not, therefore it was
best that the stones should be thrown at her rather than at her sister.
She at once went practically to work with Donkey Street. She did not
wish to keep it--it was too remote from Ansdore to be easily workable,
and she was content with her own thriving estate. She sold Donkey Street
with all its stock, and decided to lay out the money in improvements of
her land. She would drain the waterlogged innings by the Kent Ditch, she
would buy a steam plough and make the neighbourhood sit up--she would
start cattle-breeding. She had no qualms in thus spending the money on
the farm, instead of on Ellen. Her sister rather plaintively pointed out
that the invested capital would have brought her in a comfortable small
income--"and then I needn't be such a burden to you, Joanna, dear."

"You ain't a burden to me," said Joanna.

She could not bear to think of Ellen's becoming independent and leaving
her. But Ellen was far better contented with her life at home than she
wisely let it appear. Ansdore was a manor now--the largest estate not
only in Brodnyx and Pedlinge, but on Walland Marsh; indeed the whole of
the Three Marshes had little to beat it with. Moreover, Ellen was
beginning to get h