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Waring left early in the morning. He endeavored to see Ann, but she eluded him. She also avoided Mrs. Holmes, and spent her day with Emily furiously attacking the housework. By dint of much hard physical labor she was able to still the turmoil of her thoughts, and so get through the dreadful day.

She had found the answer to all her questions, but heart-sick and wretched, endeavored to shut out from memory the knowledge she had gained. Life had seemed cruel after her interview with Rodney. Now it appeared to be evil also. She was conscious of a great pity for Dick Holmes, and for the little girls, but she knew that nothing now—even apart from the question of meeting Rodney again—would induce her to stay at Tirau.

During the evening she told Vera Holmes of her decision to leave.

“Where are you going?” asked Vera sharply.

In her tone Ann read a thought of Waring and his visit to Australia.

“To Wairiri,” she answered. “I believe there’s an opening there for a hat shop. I’ve decided to start one.”

She could not bring herself to discuss her plans