It was her readiness to give that
sort of quick, kindly, decisive help which made so many of those who had
the privilege of her acquaintance regard Miss Pendarth with the solid
liking which is founded on gratitude.
But the help, offered and accepted in the same spirit, could not go on
for long, for Miss Pendarth came home after a four days' absence; and,
for the first time in many months, Janet Tosswill made time to pay a
formal call at Rose Cottage in order that she might thank her old friend.
She intended to stay only the time that strict civility enjoined, and she
would have been surprised indeed had she been able to foresee what a
pregnant and, to her, personally, painful train of events were to follow
as a result of the quarter of an hour she spent in Miss Pendarth's
old-fashioned upstairs sitting-room where only privileged visitors were
ever made welcome.
"Will you come upstairs to-day, Janet? I have something about which I
want to consult you."
And then, when they had sat down, Miss Pendarth said abruptly: "While I
was in Essex I came across some people who had been acquainted with Mrs.
Crofton and her husband."
Janet looked across at the speaker with some surprise.
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