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and to Germany. You’re too good for us now.”
    â€œIt’s not true, Ted. I’m not like that.”
    She spoke vehemently.
    The young man, a fine sturdy specimen, looked at her appraisingly in spite of his anger.
    â€œYes, you are. You’re almost a lady, Mary.”
    Mary said with sudden bitterness:
    â€œAlmost isn’t much good, is it?”
    He said with sudden understanding:
    â€œNo, I reckon it isn’t.”
    Mary said quickly:
    â€œAnyway, who cares about that sort of thing nowadays? Ladies and gentlemen, and all that!”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter like it did—no,” Ted assented, but thoughtfully. “All the same, there’s a feeling. Lord, Mary, you look like a duchess or a countess or something.”
    Mary said:
    â€œThat’s not saying much. I’ve seen countesses looking like old-clothes women!”
    â€œWell, you know what I mean.”
    A stately figure of ample proportions, handsomely dressed in black, bore down upon them. Her eyes gave them a sharp glance. Ted moved aside a step or two. He said:
    â€œAfternoon, Mrs. Bishop.”
    Mrs. Bishop inclined her head graciously.
    â€œGood afternoon, Ted Bigland. Good afternoon, Mary.”
    She passed on, a ship in full sail.
    Ted looked respectfully after her.
    Mary murmured.
    â€œNow, she really is like a duchess!”
    â€œYes—she’s got a manner. Always makes me feel hot inside my collar.”
    Mary said slowly:
    â€œShe doesn’t like me.”
    â€œNonsense, my girl.”
    â€œIt’s true. She doesn’t. She’s always saying sharp things to me.”
    â€œJealous,” said Ted, nodding his head sapiently. “That’s all it is.”
    Mary said doubtfully:
    â€œI suppose it might be that….”
    â€œThat’s it, depend upon it. She’s been housekeeper at Hunterbury for years, ruling the roost and ordering everyone about and now old Mrs. Welman takes a fancy to you, and it puts her out! That’s all it is.”
    Mary said, a shade of trouble on her forehead:
    â€œIt’s silly of me, but I can’t bear it when anyone doesn’t like me. I want people to like me.”
    â€œSure to be women who don’t like you, Mary! Jealous cats who think you’re too good-looking!”
    Mary said:
    â€œI think jealousy’s horrible.”
    Ted said slowly:
    â€œMaybe— but it exists all right. Say, I saw a lovely film over at Alledore last week. Clark Gable. All about one of these millionaire blokes who neglected his wife; and then she pretended she’d done the dirty on him. And there was another fellow….”
    Mary moved away. She said:
    â€œSorry, Ted, I must go. I’m late.”
    â€œWhere are you going?”
    â€œI’m going to have tea with Nurse Hopkins.”
    Ted made a face.
    â€œFunny taste. That woman’s the biggest gossip in the village! Pokes that long nose of hers into everything.”
    Mary said:
    â€œShe’s been very kind to me always.”
    â€œOh, I’m not saying there’s any harm in her. But she talks.”
    Mary said:
    â€œGoodbye, Ted.”
    She hurried off, leaving him standing gazing resentfully after her.
    VI
    Nurse Hopkins occupied a small cottage at the end of the village. She herself had just come in and was untying her bonnet strings when Mary entered.
    â€œAh, there you are. I’m a bit late. Old Mrs. Caldecott was bad again. Made me late with my round of dressings. I saw you with Ted Bigland at the end of the street.”
    Mary said rather dispiritedly:
    â€œYes….”
    Nurse Hopkins looked up alertly from where she was stooping to light the gas ring under the kettle.
    Her long nose twitched.
    â€œWas he saying something particular to you, my dear?”
    â€œNo. He just asked me to go to the cinema.”
    â€œ I see,” said Nurse Hopkins promptly. “Well, of course, he’s a nice young fellow and