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<h3 id="id01057" style="margin-top: 3em">CHAPTER XX</h3> Journeys End So that was how Bruce behaved to her! The deceit of both of them hurt her immensely. But she pulled herself together. It was a case for action. She felt a bitter, amused contempt, but she felt it half-urgent not to do anything that would lead to a life of miserable bickering and mutual harm. It must be stopped. And without making Bruce hate her. She wrote the second note of this strange day and sent it by a messenger. Giving no reason of any kind, she told the governess that she had decided the children's holidays should begin from that day, and that she was unexpectedly going away with them almost immediately, and she added that she would not require Miss Townsend any more. She enclosed a cheque, and said she would send on some books and small possessions that Miss Townsend had kept there. This was sent by a messenger to Miss Townsend's home near Westbourne Grove. She would find it on her return from her walk! And now Edith read Aylmer's note—it was so real, so sincere, she began to disbelieve her eyes this morning. It gave her more courage; she wanted to be absolutely calm, and looking her very best, for Bruce's entrance. He came in with his key. He avoided her eye a little—looked rather sheepish, she thought. It was about seven. 'Hallo! Aren't the children in yet? Far too late for them to be out.' 'Nurse fetched Dilly. She has gone to bed. Archie is coming presently; mother will send him all right.' 'How are you, Edith, old girl?' 'I'm quite well, Bruce.' 'I have a sort of idea, as you know,' he said, growing more at ease, 'that we shall rather miss—a—Miss Townsend, when we first go away. What do you think of taking her for part of the time?' 'Dinner's ready,' announced Edith, and they dined. Towards the end of dinner he was about to make the suggestion again, when Edith said in clear, calm but decided tones: 'Bruce, I am not going to take Miss Townsend away with us. She is not coming any more.' 'Not—Why? What the devil's the idea of this new scheme? What's the matter with Miss Townsend?' 'Bruce,' answered Edith, 'I prefer not to go into the question, and later you will be glad I did not. I've decided that Miss Townsend is not to come any more at all. I've written to tell her so. I'll look after the children with nurse until we come back…. It's all settled.' Bruce was silent. 'Well upon my word!' he exclaimed, looking at her uneasily. 'Have it your own way, of course—but upon my word! Why?' 'Do you really want me to tell you exactly why? I would so much prefer not.' 'Oh, all right, Edith dear; after all—hang it all—you're the children's mother—it's for you to settle…. No, I don't want to know anything. Have it as you wish.' 'Then we won't discuss it again. Shall we?' 'All right.' He was looking really rather shamefaced, and she thought she saw a gleam of remorse and also of relief in his eye. She went into the other room. She had not shown him Aylmer's letter. After ten minutes he came in and said: 'Look here, Edith. Make what arrangements you like. I never want to see—Miss Townsend again.' She looked a question. 'And I never shall.' She was really pleased at this, and held out her hand. Bruce had tears in his eyes as he took it. 'Edith, old girl, I think I'll go round to the club for an hour or two.' 'Do. And look here, Bruce, leave it to me to tell the children. They'll forget after the holidays. Archie must not be upset.' 'Whatever you do, Edith, will be—what I mean to say is that—Well, good night; I sha'n't be long.' Edith was really delighted, she felt she had won, and she did want that horrid little Townsend to be scored off! Wasn't it natural? She wanted to hear no more about it. There was a ring. It was nine o'clock. It was Aylmer's voice. <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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