She walked down the road as briskly as possible.  The distance between Hilchester and Cherry Court School was between two and three miles. The road was a lonely one.  Bertha presently crossed a stile and found herself in a shady lane.  When she reached this point she looked behind her and in front of her; there was no one in sight.  Then taking Florence's letter out of her pocket, she slowly and quietly read the contents.  Having read them, a smile flitted across her face.