r was anything wrong."

"I'm so awfully glad. You know I never doubted him."

"He arrived in England the day before war was declared by us. He tried
to find me, but he couldn't, and so he just gave himself up to the war.
He lost himself in it--you know his way! He thought that Freddy and I
would approve. He was always worthy of me, Hadassah, but now I'm so
proud of him. He would have joined up in any case, but he thought that
in doing his bit he would atone for his weakness about Millicent. It
was only his old method of letting things slide--he couldn't get rid of
her, but he was absolutely loyal to me."

"I understand," Hadassah said. "But I admit that it was difficult for
Freddy to look at it in that light."

"It's so hard to explain over the 'phone," Margaret said. "And indeed,
it isn't what he has told me so much--it's just what he makes me feel."

"I know, dear. I feel it's all right--I always felt it was."

"He has been absolutely true, Hadassah. Freddy must know that now.
And you know, I can afford to marry." Her voice lost its buoyancy.

"Yes, I know, dear. I saw your brother's will."

"And you approve, Hadassah? It seems a shame not to grasp this little
bit of happiness." She paused, for above her practical words came the
assurance of Michael's safety; the words of the message almost came to
her lips.

"I quite approve. In these awful days, even a fortnight of happiness
is a wonderful thing. Use your own judgment, Margaret--it's been
unerring so far. Take this joy right to your heart."

"Will you and your husband witness our marriage? I want to telegraph
to Aunt Anna--may I say that I am being married from your house? We
won't bother you--is it awful cheek asking you?"

"Why, my dear, of course you can come here to-morrow, as early as ever
you like, and we'll go into all the details, and fix up everything
quite nicely. With telephones and money and London at our backs, you
will be astonished at what a nice little _dejeuner_ we shall have ready
for you." Hadassah laughed. "Money has its uses, my dear, in spite of
all your Mike's oblivion of the fact."

"Oh, you are too kind! Won't it be nice--a little _dejeuner a quatre_
in your rooms? Your husband is with you? I forgot to ask."

"Yes, he's here. He'll stand by your Michael. Now, all you've got to
do is to look after your own concerns--get your things together and
send them here. I'll have them packed for you and do all