The trees sloped their great green shoulders proudly; and inside the warehouse all the morning, the boy had a vision of spring outside.
When he came home at dinner-time his mother was rather excited.
"Are we going ?" he asked.
"When I'm ready," she replied.
Presently he got up.
"Go and get dressed while I wash up," he said.
She did so.

He washed the pots, straightened, and then took her boots.
They were quite clean.

Mrs.Morel was one of those naturally exquisite people who can walk in mud without dirtying their shoes.

But Paul had to clean them for her.

They were kid boots at eight shillings a pair.