1
THE next morning Joan awoke with a feeling of excitement; the moment she
opened her eyes she knew that something unusual had happened. She got up
and dressed, more carefully than she had done for many years past. She
parted her hair on one side again. Why not? It certainly looked neater
parted. She was glad now that she had bought those new collars and ties.
She took an incredibly long time to knot the tie satisfactorily and this
dashed her a little. "My hand's out," she thought, "and I used to tie a
tie so well." She put on her grey flannel suit, thinking as she did so
that it was less frumpish in cut than the others; then she crushed her
soft felt hat into the shape affected by the young women with bobbed
hair, and was pleased with the result.
Her mother was awake when she went into her room.
"My darling!" she exclaimed in a protesting voice, "what is the matter
with your hat! You've done something queer to the crown. And I don't
like that collar and tie, it's so mannish looking."
Joan ignored the criticism. "I'm going for a walk with Richard, Mother,
I'll be back in time to help you to dress at twelve o'clock."
Mrs. Ogden looked surprised. "Is he staying long?" she inquired.
"I don't know, I haven't asked him; but it'll be all right if I'm back
at twelve, won't it?"
"Well, yes, I suppose so. I was going to get up a little earlier this
morning, so as to get as much benefit from the air as possible; still,
never mind."
Joan hesitated; the long years of habit tugged at her, but suddenly her
mind was made up.
"I'll be back at twelve, darling, you'd better stay quiet until then."
2
She hurried over her breakfast. Richard was waiting for her in the hall
and came forward as she left the dining-room.
"Ah! That's better," he said.