"And I kept it." She was following his wishes and going down into the country.

They did not meet again until after the war.
Madge dropped in on her during the week and brought Flossie with her.
Flossie's husband, Sam, had departed for the Navy; and Niel Singleton, who had offered and been rejected for the Army, had joined a Red Cross unit.

Madge herself was taking up canteen work.

Joan rather expected Flossie to be in favour of the war, and Madge against it.

Instead of which, it turned out the other way round.