“Yes, yes. I quite understand.”
“And if you are asked who gave it you to despatch, say it is a Mrs. Smith, slightly known to you, whom you just met, and who was in too great a hurry to catch her train to come into the Post Office.”
Anna took a large purse out of her capacious pocket. In it she put the telegram and the money. “I will send it off to-morrow morning,” she exclaimed. “You may count on me.”
“Frau Bauer?”
She turned back.
“Only to wish you again a cordial good-night, and to say I hope you will come again soon!”
“Indeed, that I will,” she called out gratefully.
As he was shutting the back door, he saw his wife hurrying along across the quiet little back street.
“Hullo, Polly!” he cried, and she came quickly across. “They are in great trouble at the Deanery,” she observed, “at least, Miss Edith is in great trouble. She has been crying all to-day. They say her face is all swelled out—that she looks an awful sight! Her lover is going away to fight, and some one has told her that Lord Kitchener says none of the lot now going out will ever come back! There is even talk of their being married before he starts. But as her trousseau is not ready, my sister thinks it would be a very stupid thing to do.”
“Did the Dean get my letter?” he asked abruptly.