Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-04-17
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Il
girl asked. again.
mo"
Mrs. Mears touched the little mill.
tary ribbon Nan still wore.
II thought. perhaps-as you are
wearing this" she said. deprecat.
lingly.
Most OF us wear son.e ribbon or
another. don't we?" said Nan.
She tried to smile. "In London
the other day saw an old woman i'm
n bus with three different badges on
her coat-she was so proud OF them
she told me that she had three sons
serving in the army"
Mrs. Mears laughed.
| How quaint"
| There rs q touch OF ortificiality
In her voice which Nan resented:
she stopped and look a back at the
others.
Mrs. Mears stopped, too.
| TITS very sad about Mr.. Lyster.
don't you think?" she asked.
Very" said Nan.
II shall miss him dreadfully when
he goes away" Mrs. Mears went on.
He has been so kind to me-" She
! broke off as the two men and the
boys came up. She moved away
from Nan and went over to Peter.
you mustn't Overture yourself"
she said playfully. az really think
/ we ought to be taking you home.
What do you think. John?"
'Arnott had just returned from n
race across the grass. He carried
Claude on his back and he was red
in the face from his exertions.
Don't CO." came i'm a chorus from
the three. ooh. don't 60"
I'm in no hurry" Peter said
quickly. He looked at Nan. "Mrs.
| Mears will persist in making an in.
valid of me-" he said.
There was a trace of annoyance in
his voice. Nan remembered how he
had always hated fuss
She moved on. and Peter walked
beside her.
"Who is the Miss Lyster you spoke
Of at tea.time?" he asked suddenly.
Nan colored.
On. it's only somebody I used
to know long while ago." she said
evasively. TITS not a very uncom-
mon name, you know"
He kept his eyes downbent mood
lily.
II thought perhaps It might have
been someone ought to have
known" he said. 81 suppose have
some relations somewhere or other"
He looked at her suddenly
Are you feeling happier today?"
he asked. abruptly.
Nan flushed scarlet.
II don't want to be reminded Of
last night" she said. vehemently. "I
made an utter and complete fool of
myself. Please. try and forget st."
There was little silence.
do you often walk In the wood?"
he asked.
Sometimes II haven't much
time"
"And do you like Mrs. Mears?"
Peter asked then.
Nan hesitated.
"Well. I can hardly say-I've never
seen her before. you know. She's
pretty. isn't she?" She Ionged for
him to disagree with her.
Peter glanced across to where Mrs.
Mears was talking to bersbrother.
Yes: ] suppose one would call her
piNetS' idSt- SoHe IL
small and dainty"
And men always like small and
dainty women" Nan said. She hated
herself for having said it. but she
could not help it.
do they?" Lyster asked.
Nan went with them to the gate.
The car was drawn up at the road
side. and the chauffeur was half
asleep in his seat.
She must have plenty Of money"
Nan thought with a pang.
And you'll come over and see us?"
Mrs. Mears was asking her. 81
should love you to see my boy. John
must drive over one day and fetch
you. Will you, John?"
John would be delighted. he said
Which day should he come? Any
day would suit him.
= think we had better leave Il
for & little while" Nan answered 81
am so busy; there is such a lot to
do"
"f you leave It too long / shall
be back in France" he told her
ruefully
Nan glanced at Peter; he was not
attending.
ITO Re COntiuuefH