“I knew you wouldn’t mind my bringing her to you. She looked so awful I had to do something. You always comfort somehow. Besides, it’s been a bit of a day, and I seemed used up.”

“From what I gathered from Gladys it’s had a good end though.”

“Glorious! It’s not over yet either. I’m going up to the farm just to say good night.” Janet turned and hugged Maggie. “Oh, gosh! I’m so happy. You must think me a mean beast with Gladys crying in one room and Sheila howling in another. Not that I really mind about Sheila. Poor lamb! Fancy believing in fairy-tales!”

Maggie flushed and then gave a positively childish giggle.

“It runs in the family, darling, even the bit about living happily ever after. You see, I’m going to marry the colonel.”

The country can look enchanted in the half light, and Janet ran through fields dimmed by an evening mist, under a sky crimsoned by the setting sun. “It can’t be true,” she thought. “This can’t be me. Nobody on earth can really be so happy. Everything can’t be as lovely as I see it.”

Iris’ excited squeak greeted Janet as she came into the farm.

“Janet, Janet! Come and say good night.”

Janet ran up the stairs. Donald was sitting on Iris’ bed. Janet looked at them with mock disapproval.

“Why aren’t you asleep, Iris?”

“We’ve been playing blow feather. Daddy’s got a bigger blow than me.” The feather fluttered off the bed. Iris made a clucking sound with her tongue. “Drat the plaguey thing.”

Donald picked it up.

“Here it is, Mrs. Honeywell.” He stuck it on Janet’s face.

“Excuse me, Miss Brain, you’ve a bit of moss on your chin.”

They laughed. Iris looked puzzled.

“Why do you call a feather moss? An’ why are you laughing?”

Janet hugged her, and tucked in her sheet.

“Just for happiness, darling.”

T H E   E N D

About The Author

Susan Scarlett is a pseudonym of the author Noel Streatfeild (1895-1986). She was born in Sussex, England, the second of five surviving children of William Champion Streatfeild, later the Bishop of Lewes, and Janet Venn. As a child she showed an interest in acting, and upon reaching adulthood sought a career in theatre, which she pursued for ten years, in addition to modelling. Her familiarity with the stage was the basis for many of her popular books.

Her first children’s book was Ballet Shoes (1936), which launched a successful career writing for children. In addition to children’s books and memoirs, she also wrote fiction for adults, including romantic novels under the name ‘Susan Scarlett’. The twelve Susan Scarlett novels are now republished by Dean Street Press.

Noel Streatfeild was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1983.

Adult Fiction by Noel Streatfeild

As Noel Streatfeild

The Whicharts (1931)

Parson’s Nine (1932)

Tops and Bottoms (1933)