Mrs.Ambrose received the news with an equanimity which made John suspicious, for she had heretofore constantly pressed him to extend his holiday, expressing the greatest solicitude for his health.

She now sat stony as a statue and said very coldly that she was sorry he had to go so soon, but that, of course, it could not be helped.

The vicar was moved by his wife's apparent indifference.

John, he said, might at least have stayed till the end of the promised week; but at this suggestion Mrs.Ambrose darted at her husband a look so full of fierce meaning, that the vicar relapsed into silence, returning to the consideration of bread and cheese and a salad of mustard and cress.

John saw the look and was puzzled; he did not believe the vicar capable of going straight to Mrs.Ambrose with the story of the last night's interview.