CHAPTER    VII
THE  STOEP

WHEN  I  reached  Miss  Heda  she  was  collecting  half-
opened  monthly  roses  from  the  hedge,  and  not
quite  knowing  what  to  say  I  made  the  appropriate  quota-
tion. At  least  it  was  appropriate  to  my  thought,  and,
as  I  inferred  from  her  answer,  to  hers  also.
"  Yes,"  she  said,  "  I  am  gathering  them  while  I  may,

for  to-morrow "  and  she  sighed  and,  as  I  thought,

glanced  towards  the  verandah,  though  of  this  I  could
not  be  sure  because  of  the  wide  brim  of  the  hat  she  was
wearing.
Then  we  talked  a  Uttle  on  indifferent  matters,  while
I  pricked  my  fingers  helping  to  pluck  the  roses.  She
asked  me  if  I  thought  that  Anscombe  was  getting  on  well,
and  how  long  it  would  be  before  he  could  travel.  I  replied
that  Dr.  Rodd  could  tell  her  better  than  myself,  but  that
I  hoped  in  about  a  week.
"  In  a  week  !  "  she  said,  and  although  she  tried  to
speak  lightly  there  was  dismay  in  her  voice.
"  I  hope  you  don't  think  it  too  long,"  I  answered ;
"  but  even  if  he  is  fit  to  go,  the  oxen  have  not  come  yet,
and  I  don't  quite  know  when  they  will."

"  Too  long  !  "  she  exclaimed.  "  Too  long  !  Oh  !  if
you  only  knew  what  it  is  to  me  to  have  such  guests  as  you
are  in  this  place,"  and  her  dark  eyes  filled  with  tears.
By  now  we  had  passed  to  the  side  of  the  house  in  search
of  some  other  flower  that  grew  in  the  shade,  I  think  it
was  mignonette,  and  were  out  of  sight  of  the  verandah
and  quite  alone.
