getting on towards my bedtime, and I was nodding in front
of the fire.

"I'm just in and out, Majy dear," she said. "I had to come. I didn't
want to give you too many shocks." At my expression of alarm, she
laughed. "I've only run in to tell you that I've made up my mind to
come to the Town Hall tomorrow."

I looked at her, and I suppose my hands moved in a slight gesture.

"By that," she said, "I suppose you mean you can never tell what I'm
going to do next."

"You've guessed it, my dear," said I.

"Do you disapprove?"

"I couldn't be so presumptuous."

She bent over me and caught the lapels of my jacket.

"Oh, don't be so dreadfully dignified. I want you to understand.
Everybody is going to pay honour to-morrow to a man who has given
everything he could to his country. Don't you think it would be petty
of me if I stood out? What have the dead things that have passed
between us to do with my tribute as an Englishwoman?"

What indeed? I asked her whether she was attending in her private
capacity or as one of the representatives of the V.A.D. nurses. I
learned for the thousandth time that Betty Connor did not deal in half
measures. If she went at all, it was as Betty Connor that she would go.
Her aunts would accompany her. It was part of the municipal ordering of
things that the Town Clerk should have sent them the special cards of
invitation.

"I think it my duty to go," said Betty.

"If you think so, my dear," said I, "then it is your duty. So there's
nothing more to be said about it."

Betty kissed the top of my head and went off.

We come now to the morning of the great day. Everything had been
finally settled. The Mayor and Aldermen, Lady Fenimore and the
Aldermen's wives, the Lord Lieutenant (in unofficial mufti) and Lady
Laleham (great though officially obscure lady), the General of the
Division quartered in the neighbourhood and officers of his staff, and
a few other magnates to meet the three o'clock train by which the
Boyces were due to arrive. The station hung with flags and
inscriptions. A guard of honour and a band in the station-yard, with a
fleet of motor cars in waiting. Troops lining the route from station to
Town Hall. More troops in the decorated Market Square, including the
Godbury School O.T.C. and the Wellingsford and Godbury Volunteers. I
heard that the latter were very anxious to fire off a feu de joie, but
were restrained owing to lack of precedent. The local fire-brigade in
fre