The programme had arranged for nothing more by way of ceremonial to take place.

But a public gathering always hopes for something unexpected, and, when it does not happen, takes its disappointment philosophically.
I think Betty's action must have shown them that the rest of the proceedings were to be purely private and informal.
The platform also gradually thinned, until at last, looking round, I saw that only Sir Anthony and Lady Fenimore and Winterbotham, the Town Clerk, remained.

Then Lady Fenimore joined us.

We were about a score, myself perched on the edge and corner of the platform, the rest standing on the floor of the hall in a sector round me, Marigold, of course, in the middle of them by my side, like an ill-graven image.

As soon as she could Lady Fenimore came up to me.
"Don't you think it splendid of Betty Connor to bury the hatchet so publicly ?" she whispered.
"The war," said I, "is a solvent of many human complications." "It is indeed." Then she added: "I am going to have a little dinner party some time soon for the Boyces.