Susan was seated on the back veranda, shelling beans, and Cousin Sophia was helping her.

Peace and tranquility brooded over the Glen; the sky was fleeced over with silvery, shining clouds.
Rainbow Valley lay in a soft, autumnal haze of fairy purple.

The maple grove was a burning bush of colour and the hedge of sweet-briar around the kitchen yard was a thing of wonder in its subtle tintings.

It did not seem that strife could be in the world, and Susan's faithful heart was lulled into a brief forgetfulness, although she had lain awake most of the preceding night thinking of little Jem far out on the Atlantic, where the great fleet was carrying Canada's first army across the ocean.

Even Cousin Sophia looked less melancholy than usual and admitted that there was not much fault to be found in the day, although there was no doubt it was a weather-breeder and there would be an awful storm on its heels.
"Things is too calm to last," she said.
As if in confirmation of her assertion, a most unearthly din suddenly arose behind them.