She would have joined that party on the croquet ground, instead of remaining among the pea-sticks in her sun-bonnet, had she done as I would have counselled her.

Not a word was spoken among the four that she did not hear.

Those pea-sticks were only removed from the lawn by a low wall and a few shrubs.

She listened, not as one suspecting, but simply as one loving.

The voices of her girls were very dear to her, and the silver ringing tones of Lily's tongue were as sweet to her ears as the music of the gods.