Free (8/13) At Home in Thrush Green by Miss Read

thought of their foolish indulgence of that disgustingly behaved animal, but it didn't seem quite the time and place for a bit of plain speaking. It might have started Kathleen off on one of her hysterical fits, and I didn't think the other patients in the ward should be subjected to that. After all, they all had enough to put up with, Ray included.'
    'That was thoughtful of you,' agreed Agnes, who knew how easily her friend was stirred to outspokenness, sometimes with disastrous and embarrassing results.
    'Do you know, Agnes, I should really enjoy a cup of coffee. It's been a long day.'
    'The longest of the year,' said Agnes, pointing to the calendar. 'Stay there, my dear, and I'll go and make the coffee.'
    ***
    The two ladies went to bed early. Little Miss Fogerty had also found it a long and tiring day, but was relieved to have Dorothy back safe and sound, and to know that her brother was making steady progress. There was much to be thankful for, she thought, gazing out of her bedroom window across Thrush Green.
    It was still light, although the little travelling clock on the bedroom mantelpiece said ten o'clock. The statue of Nathaniel Patten shone in the rosy light of a spectacular sunset, now beginning to fade into shades of pink and mauve.
    The air was still. Far away, a distant train hooted at Lulling station, a pigeon clattered homeward, and a small black shadow crossed the road below Miss Fogerty's window. Albert Piggott's cat was about its night time business.
    'Time for bed,' yawned little Miss Fogerty.
    It really had been an exceptionally long day.

6 The Fuchsia Bush to the Rescue
    THROUGHOUT July work went on steadily at the old people's homes. The weather was kind, and the outside painting went ahead without disruption. Edward Young was relieved to see such progress, and optimistic about its opening in the autumn.
    He said as much to his wife Joan, one breakfast time.
    'I only hope the weather will hold up for my lunch party,' she replied. 'I've made plans to hustle everything under cover if need be, but it would be splendid if people could picnic on the lawn.'
    'Of course it will stay fine,' Edward said robustly. 'Looks settled for weeks. Mark my words, things will go without a hitch!'
    But he was wrong. Later that morning she answered the telephone to find that it was her sister Ruth speaking, sounding much agitated.
    'It's mother, Joan. I went in just now to see if she were needing help in dressing, and found her on the floor.'
    'Oh no! Heart again?'
    'There's no saying. I've got her into bed, but John's on his rounds, of course. I've left a message.'
    'I'll come straightaway.'
    Molly Curdle was in the kitchen, at her morning duties. She and her husband Ben now lived in the converted stable where Joan and Ruth's mother had lived until recently.
    Joan explained briefly what had happened, and left Molly troubled in mind. She had known the Bassetts, Joan's parents, ever since she was a child, and the death of the old man had grieved her. Was his wife to follow him so soon? Ben, now busy at work in Lulling, would be as upset as she was.
    Joan found her mother barely conscious, but the old lady managed to smile at the two anxious faces bending over her.
    'John'sjust rung,' whispered Ruth. 'He's coming straight back from Lulling. Miss Pick caught him at the Venables', luckily.'
    Mrs Bassett's eyes were now closed, but she seemed to be breathing normally.
    Ruth smoothed the bedclothes, nodded to her sister, and the two tiptoed from the room.

    Agnes Fogerty, with a straggling crocodile of small children behind her, recognised Joan Young's car outside her sister's. It was nice to see how devoted the two were, she thought fondly. So many sisters did not get on well. Families could be quite sorely divided. Look at Dorothy and Ray, for instance.
    'John Todd,' called little Miss Fogerty, temporarily diverted from her musings on the variability of family relationships, 'throw that nettle away, and if I see you tormenting