Jennette Lee

“ A phalanx of men in orderly rank was moving along the paths and borders, weeding and hoeing and pruning—the scissors and hoes and trowels and rakes flicked in the light with a little, irregular tattoo of sound, and the bent backs of the men had an intent, absorbed look.
When she descended the stairs a battle and bustle of eagerness pervaded the house. Batson was everywhere, urging and directing his forces with solicitous presence.
To Milly the house and grounds had seemed in perfect condition the day before. But out of this movement and stir of preparation something new seemed to emerge. ”

“ But her voice broke across it joyously, speaking into the tube—"Is that you, Elise? Stephen is coming this morning! Did you know? Yes—this morning! And we want to come over to tea—if you are going to be home. . . . What is it? Yes, we are all coming! I have not seen you in an age, dear. . . . Yes, I know." The voice grew tender and seemed to follow inaudible words with murmuring assent—"I know, dear. But that is past. We are coming now—yes. Good-by."
She returned with radiant face. "She will be at home!" ”

“ Milly saw him passing through the rooms and up the stairs, and it came to her suddenly to question whether Mr. Mason was a much older man than she had supposed. The figure going up the stairs stooped a little, and moved uncertainly, as if with an effort. . . . And in the adjoining room, the wife, with the little look of contented abstraction that had come back to her face, sipped her coffee and trifled with the toast. She seemed a young woman—twenty years younger, at least, than the bent figure going up the stairs. ”