He reflected, not without bitterness, upon what Cicely Chandos would get if she took Wilverley.
IV
During the epoch-making weeks that followed he saw little of her, being engrossed by his work. After the battle of the Marne, Wilverley Court was turned into a Red Cross Hospital, and Cicely enrolled herself as a V.A.D. Brian, by this time, was in France, having survived the retreat from Mons. Pawley had come back, much the better for a long holiday. He congratulated his partner with almost paternal effusion:
“They all like you, my boy. Gentle and simple——!”
“The simple are not as simple as they appear,” said Grimshaw.
“Ah! You have been talking to them, eh? Any—complaints?”
“Nothing verbal. They say what they think I wish them to say. I get most of my information from the kiddies. They give the Chandos dynasty dead away.”
Pawley made a deprecating gesture.
“I know—I know. But what can one do?”
Grimshaw answered grimly: