fix error when re-loading() fewer items

* guess I was too quick to submit #1785 as test cases were failing.

Author: adumesny

doc/CHANGES.md

@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ Change log
 <!-- END doctoc generated TOC please keep comment here to allow auto update -->
 
 ## 4.4.0-dev TBD
+* fix [#1901](https://github.com/gridstack/gridstack.js/pull/1901) error introduced for #1785 when re-loading with fewer objects
 
 ## 4.4.0 (2021-12-21)
 * add [#1887](https://github.com/gridstack/gridstack.js/pull/1887) support for IE (new es5 folder) by [@SmileLifeIven](https://github.com/SmileLifeIven)

src/gridstack-engine.ts

@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ export class GridStackEngine {
 
   /** @internal called to top gravity pack the items back OR revert back to original Y positions when floating */
   private _packNodes(): GridStackEngine {
-    if (this.batchMode) { return; }
+    if (this.batchMode) { return this; }
     this._sortNodes(); // first to last
 
     if (this.float) {