till at home--doing some splendid work, they
tell me, at the War Office, but, of course, pining to be off to
France again. I hear from him that Desmond is somewhere near
Armentieres. Well, good-bye--I tied my horse to the gate, and must
get home. Stick to it! Say good-bye to the Squire for me--I shall be
over again before long. If there is anything I can do for you--count
upon me. But _we_ count upon you!'

Astonishing effusion!--from an elderly gentleman who, at the
beginning of things, had regarded her as elderly gentlemen of great
local position do regard young women secretaries who are earning
their own living. Sir Henry's tone was now the tone of one potentate
to another; and, as we have seen, it caused Elizabeth to tame her
soul with Greek, as she walked back through the wood to rejoin the
Squire.

When she perceived him waiting for her, she wished with some fervour
that she were not alone. She had tried to keep Captain Dell with
her, but he had pleaded an urgent engagement at a village near the
farther end of the wood. And then Sir Henry had deserted her. It was
annoying--and unforeseen.

The Squire observed her as she came up--the light, springing step,
the bunch of primroses in her belt. He closed the book, of which he
had not in truth read a word.

'You have been a long time?'

'But I assure you it was well worth while!' She paused in front of
him, a little out of breath, leaning on her measuring-pole. 'We
found ten or twelve more ash--some exactly of the size they want.'

'Who are "they"?'

'The Air Board,' said Elizabeth, smiling.

'The fellows that wrote me that letter? I didn't want their thanks.'

Elizabeth took no notice. She resumed--

'And Sir Henry went into the figures of that contract with Captain
Dell. He thinks the Captain has done very well, and that the prices
are very fair--very good, in fact.'

'All the same, I don't mean to accept their blessed contract.'

'Oh, but I thought it was settled!' cried Elizabeth in distress. She
sat down on a dry stump a little way off, and the Squire actually
enjoyed the sight of her discomfiture.

'Why on earth should I allow these people, not only to make a
hideous mess of my woods, and murder my trees, but to take three
years--_three years_--over the disgusting business, before they get
it all done and clear up the mess? One year is the utmost I will
allow.'

Elizabeth looked consternation.

'But think of the labour difficulties,' she plea