Thestudio，wheretheyhadbeensortingandlabelling，hadoncebeenHolly’sschoolroom，devotedtohersilkworms，driedlavender，music，andotherformsofinstruction。Now，attheendofJuly，despiteitsnorthernandeasternaspects，awarmandslumberousaircameinbetweenthelong—fadedlilaclinencurtains。Toredeemalittlethedepartedglory，asofafieldthatisgoldenandgone，clingingtoaroomwhichitsmasterhasleft，Irenehadplacedonthepaint—stainedtableabowlofredroses。This，andJolyon’sfavouritecat，whostillclungtothedesertedhabitat，werethepleasantspotsinthatdishevelled，sadworkroom。Jon，atthenorthwindow，sniffingairmysteriouslyscentedwithwarmstrawberries，heardacardriveup。
Thelawyersagainaboutsomenonsense！Whydidthatscentsomakeoneache？Andwherediditcomefrom——therewerenostrawberrybedsonthissideofthehouse。Instinctivelyhetookacrumpledsheetofpaperfromhispocket，andwrotedownsomebrokenwords。Awarmthbeganspreadinginhischest;herubbedthepalmsofhishandstogether。Presentlyhehadjottedthis:
\"IfIcouldmakealittlesongAlittlesongtosoothemyheart！
I’dmakeitalloflittlethingsTheplashofwater，rubofwings，Thepuffing—offofdandiescrown，Thehissofraindropspillingdown，Thepurrofcat，thetrillofbird，Andev’rywhisperingI’veheard>Fromwillywindinleavesandgrass，Andallthedistantdronesthatpass。
AsongastenderandaslightAsflower，orbutterflyinflight;