"That's all right, sir," he said cheerfully. "That was a mistake. I understood the Army Service Corps was taking over my garage; and I should want a roof over my head to sleep under."
He went back to his car.
Another moment, and the door of the Manor-house opened. Ruth emerged briskly and gave him a bright nod.
"Can't stop now, Alf," she said. "I'm off to see Mrs. Lewknor. See you again later."
"That's right," Alf answered. "She's on the committee for seeing to the married women ain't she?—them and their lawful children. Reverend Spink's on it too."
He stressed the epithet faintly.
A moment Ruth looked him austerely in the eyes. Then she turned up the hill with a nod. She understood. There was danger a-foot again.
The matter of the hostel settled, Mrs. Lewknor, before everything an Imperialist, and not of the too common platform kind, was free to serve. And she had not far to look for an opening.
The Mayor summoned a meeting in his parlour to consider the situation of the families of soldiers called to the colours.
Mrs. Lewknor was by common consent appointed honorary secretary of the Association formed; and was given by her committee a fairly free discretion to meet the immediate situation.