"But you are so strong and brave," she continued, with another little laugh.

"It won't be so difficult for you." It was not until well on her way home that Joan, recalling the conversation, found herself smiling at Mary Stopperton's literal acceptation of the argument.

At the time, she remembered, the shadow of a fear had passed over her.
Mary Stopperton did not know the name of the preacher.

It was quite common for chance substitutes to officiate there, especially in the evening.

Joan had insisted on her acceptance of a shilling, and had made a note of her address, feeling instinctively that the little old woman would "come in useful" from a journalistic point of view.
Shaking hands with her, she had turned eastward, intending to walk to Sloane Square and there take the bus.