Eleanor H. Porter

“ Gilmoreville said never had they known such a winter. Never did they want to see its like again, and never had spring looked so good to them. All of which Sister Sue in the old Gilmore homestead echoed quite fervently.
And spring did, indeed, bring to Sister Sue a most welcome respite from many things. There were no more frozen water-pipes; no more shivering mornings with the fire almost out; no more blizzards that threatened to cut them off from all mankind. There was now, instead, the never-failing interest for John Gilmore in the garden which gave the shears (and Sister Sue) a rest. ”

“ Higher and higher in the heavens rolled the sun. The huge drifts disappeared and were not. Here and there a bit of green flashed back smile for smile. Little brown, brave-hearted buds swelled to bursting with the promise of good things to come. ”

“ Sister Sue declared to herself that it was the happiest seven days she had known since she had come to Gilmoreville. To have lived again, even if for only one short week, in the atmosphere of music that was music, was something to hold dear to one's heart ”