It seems as though he could not shake off that chill he got in the trenches.

That's why he hasn't been to call at the Rectory." "I hope this beautiful weather will cure him," Barbara replied rather doubtfully, for she had heard a bad report of George Arnott's health.
Then to change the subject she added, "Do you know, we had a visitor yesterday, Aunt Maria in the flesh, in a great deal of flesh, as Janey says." "Do you mean Lady Thompson ?" She nodded.
"Aunt Thompson and her footman and her pug dog.

Thank goodness, she only stayed to tea, as she had a ten mile drive back to her hotel.

As it was, lots of things happened." "What happened ?" "Well, first when she got out of the carriage, covered with jet anchor chains--for you know Uncle Samuel died only three months ago and left her all his money--she caught sight of our heads staring at her out of the drawing-room window, and asked father if he kept a girls' school.
Then she made mother cry by remarking that she ought to be thankful to Providence for having taken to its bosom the four of us who died young -- you know she has no children herself and so can't feel about them.
Also father was furious because she told him that at least half of us should have been boys.

He turned quite pink and said: "'I have been taught, Lady Thompson, that these are matters which God Almighty keeps in His own hands, and to Him I must refer you.' "'Good gracious! don't get angry,' she answered.