Gaddesden was talking
endlessly in her small plaintive voice about rations and
queues--there dropped the sound of a car passing the windows, and a
boy's clear voice.
'Desmond!' cried Pamela, with almost a sob of relief, and like one
escaping from a nightmare she sprang up and ran to greet her
brother.
* * * * *
Meanwhile Elizabeth had found the Squire waiting for her, and, as
she saw at once, in a state of tension.
'What was that you were saying to me about timber last week?' he
demanded imperiously as she entered, without giving her time to
speak. 'I hear this intolerable Government are behaving like
madmen, cutting down everything they can lay hands on. They shan't
have my trees--I would burn them first!'
Elizabeth paused in some dismay.
'You remember--' she began.
'Remember what?' It was long since she had heard so snappish a tone.
'That you authorized me--'
'Oh, I daresay, I gave myself away--I'm always doing so. I don't
mean half I say. You're too full of business--you take me up too
quick.
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