He had gambled away what little money he had, and it had ended in his going off to Australia--alone.
Then an astounding thing had happened.

Godfrey had had a fortune left him by an eccentric old man in whose employment he had been as secretary for a while.

His luck still holding, he had gone through most of the war, including Gallipoli, with only one wound, which had left no ill effects.
A man so fortunate ought not to have neglected his old friends.
Janet Tosswill, the step-mother completely merging into the friend, came forward, and put her arms round the girl's shoulders.

"Look here, Betty.
Wouldn't you rather go away?
I don't suppose he'll stay longer than Monday or Tuesday--" "I shouldn't think of going away! I expect he's forgotten all about that old affair.

It's a long time ago, Janet--nine years.