She sprang for it at once, before Cyril could make a move to get it.

She had to dive far under a chair to capture it--which may explain why her face was so very red when she finally reached her seat again.
On the morning of the tenth, Billy, Marie, and Aunt Hannah were once more sewing together, this time in the little sitting-room at the end of the hall up-stairs.
Billy's fingers, in particular, were flying very fast.
"I told John to have Peggy at the door at eleven," she said, after a time; "but I think I can finish running in this ribbon before then.

I haven't much to do to get ready to go." "I hope Kate's train won't be late," worried Aunt Hannah.
"I hope not," replied Billy; "but I told Rosa to delay luncheon, anyway, till we get here.

I--" She stopped abruptly and turned a listening ear toward the door of Aunt Hannah's room, which was open.

A clock was striking.