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His elbow was on the desk. He rested his head on his hand so that his face was almost hidden.

“How can I allow that?” he asked huskily. “I believe I owe you your salary too. Oh, my God!”

“Mr. Holmes, for heaven’s sake don’t make molehills into mountains. Let’s be practical. The great thing at the moment is to settle the children comfortably so that you won’t be worried while you’re arranging matters. Probably things will turn out better than you think. I have some money in the bank, more than I need. I’m going to start a little hat shop in Wairiri, and I know I’m going to make a very good thing out of it. It’s my one talent—millinery.”

“You have another.”

“What is it?”

“Kindness,” he answered quietly. “You’re... you’re...”

“Never mind what I am,” she said hastily. “That’s settled then. Now, could you take me and the children into Wairiri in the car to-day? I’ll be responsible for them at the school.”

“But the term doesn’t start till February.”

“Mrs. Marley takes children in the holidays. I... I was told so.” She instinctively avoided mentioning Vera’s name. “Until the end of the next term you won’t have to worry a scrap about Biddy and Jo. I’ll keep an eye on them at school. That gives you five months, and if you just concentrate on your own affairs, I’m sure you’ll find before long that things will be brighter.

With his hands still shading his eyes, he tried in broken words to thank her, but she would not listen to him. She went instead to pack the children’s clothes.