“Oh, thank you—yes, that was quite right!” the girl looked greatly relieved. “Mr. Robey said he would very much like to read it, so I came back for it. And Anna?”
“Yes, my gracious miss.”
“I am going to stay there to supper after all. Mr. and Mrs. Robey, and even Sir Jacques, seem anxious that I should do so.”
“And I have gone out and got you such a nice supper,” said the old woman regretfully.
“I’ll have it for lunch to-morrow!” Rose looked very happy and excited. There was a bright colour in her cheeks. “Mr. Robey thinks that Mr. Blake will soon be getting ninety hours’ leave.” Her heart was so full of joy she felt she must tell the delightful news.
“That is good—very good!” said Anna cordially. “And then, my darling little one, there will be a proper betrothal, will there not?”
Rose nodded. “Yes, I suppose there will,” she said in German.
“And perhaps a war wedding,” went on Anna, her face beaming. “There are many such just now in Witanbury. In my country they began the first day of the War.”
“I know.” Rose smiled. “One of the Kaiser’s sons was married in that way. Don’t you remember my bringing you an account of it, Anna?” She did not wait for an answer. “Well, I must hurry back now.”
The old woman went off into her kitchen, and so through the scullery into her cosy bedroom.