I'll put them in the hall." In a moment Grace returned, and sitting down by Nora, who had stationed herself in the big porch swing, she picked up her work and began to embroider industriously.
For the space of half an hour the little company worked busily, keeping up a running accompaniment of merry conversation broken with light laughter.

It was Nora's quick eyes which first saw Grace lay down her work with an impatient sigh.

An instant later Grace discovered that Nora's industry was flagging.

Mrs.Harlowe had just gone into the house.
Anne was leaning back in her chair, her eyes fixed dreamily upon the far horizon, while Jessica, alone, plodded patiently along, too much absorbed in the development of the butterfly pattern she was embroidering to note that two of her companions were lagging.

A sudden silence fell upon them all.