The nurse declared in a frightened whisper that it had uttered no cry on facing the light.

It had taken possession of its cradle in all the dignity of silent sorrow.

A more saddened and a more thoughtful countenance a human being could not exhibit if he were leaving the world instead of entering it.
"Hem!" said Sir Peter to himself on regaining the solitude of his library; "a philosopher who contributes a new inhabitant to this vale of tears takes upon himself very anxious responsibilities--" At that moment the joy-bells rang out from the neighbouring church tower, the summer sun shone into the windows, the bees hummed among the flowers on the lawn.

Sir Peter roused himself and looked forth, "After all," said he, cheerily, "the vale of tears is not without a smile.".