The note was kindly in its terms yet to her it had a menacing and sinister look.

Had some stroke been planned against her?
Was it to be delivered this afternoon?
Dick came at half-past four from a village cricket match to fetch her.
"You are ready, Stella?
Right! For we can't spare very much time.

I have a surprise for you." Stella asked him what it was and he answered: "There's a house for sale in Great Beeding.

I think that you would like it." Stella's face softened with a smile.
"Anywhere, Dick," she said, "anywhere on earth." "But here best of all," he answered.

"Not to run away--that's our policy.
We'll make our home in our own south country.