"You see, if the armistice is signed—and we shall know to-morrow," said Ellesborough, "I shall be free in a month or so, and then we propose to marry and get a passage before Christmas. I must go home, and she says she'll come with me!"
A shadow had fallen suddenly, it seemed to Janet, over Rachel's aspect, but she at once endorsed what Ellesborough had said.
"We can't settle things—can we?—till we've seen his people. We've got to decide whether I'll go to America, or he'll come here."
"But we want to say"—Ellesborough turned gravely to Janet—"that first and foremost, we wish to do the best for you."
The sudden tears came into Janet's eyes. But they did not show.
"Oh, that'll be all right. Don't bother about me."
"We shall bother!" said Rachel with energy, "but I'll tell you all about it presently. He won't stay to supper."
She descended from the table, and Ellesborough rose. After a little more chat about the day and its doings, he said good-night to Janet.
"How do you get back?"
"Oh, I left my bike in the village. I shall walk and pick it up there."