Thepeach-andapple-treeswereminglingblossomsofpinkandwhite；adrowsyhumofbeesfilledthefragrantair；
rich，dark-greenalfalfacoveredthesmallorchardflat；awoodfiresentupalazycolumnofbluesmoke；andbirdsweresingingsweetly。
Helencouldscarcelybelievethatamidallthistranquillityamanlayperhapsfatallyinjured。AssuredlyCarmichaelhadbeensomberandreticentenoughtorousethegravestfears。
WidowCassappearedonthelittleporch，agray，bent，worn，butcheerfuloldwomanwhomHelenhadcometoknowasherfriend。
\"Myland！I\'mthetgladtoseeyou，MissHelen，\"shesaid。