The dim light, the old lady's low voice, above all, the books--in her eyes a remarkable library--impressed her strongly.

If Grail himself were present, he was invariably reading; Thyrza held him profoundly learned, a judgment confirmed by his mother's way of speaking of him.

For Mrs.Grail regarded her son with distinct reverence.

He, in turn, was tenderly respectful to her; they did not know what it was to exchange an unkind or an impatient word.
Thyrza liked especially to have tea here on Sunday.

The appointments of the table seemed to her luxurious, for the tea-service was uniform and of pretty, old-fashioned pattern, and simple little dainties of a kind new to her were generally forthcoming.