"The weather is quite mild this evening; we soon shall have rain.

Everyone is saying that it is to be an early spring." To the countryman, all things touching the soil which gives him bread, and the alternate seasons which lull the earth to sleep and awaken it to life, are of such moment that one may speak of them even in the presence of death with no disrespect.

Their eyes turned quite naturally to the square of the little window, but the night was black and they could discern nothing.
Ephrem Surprenant began anew to praise her who was departed.

"In all the parish there was not a braver-spirited woman than she, nor a cleverer housewife.

How friendly too, and what a kind welcome she always gave a visitor! In the old parishes--yes! and even in the towns on the railway, not many would be found to match her.