The gift of grace had been added by the fairy godmother nature.
John said, with gravity, "You are most welcome home, Leila," and then quickly aware of some coldness in his words, "Oh, I am so very glad to see you!" She had gone by him in the swift changes of life.

Without so putting it distinctly into the words of a mental soliloquy, John was conscious that here was another Leila.
"Come, in with you," said the happy master of Grey Pine.
"How well you look, Ann, and how young! The cart will bring your bundles." John Penhallow on an August afternoon was of Billy's opinion that Leila had "rowed a lot" as she came out upon the porch and gaily laughing cried, "At last,--Aunt Ann has done with me." They were both suffering from one of those dislocations of relation which even in adult life are felt when friends long apart come together again.
The feeling of loss, as far as John was concerned, grew less as Leila with return of childlike joy roamed with him over the house and through the stables, and next day through Westways, with a pleasant word for every one and on busying errands for her aunt.

He was himself occupied with study; but now the Squire had said it would be wise to drop his work.
With something of timidity he said to Leila, "I am free for this afternoon; come and see again our old playgrounds.

It will be a long while before we can take another walk." "Certainly, John.

And isn't it a nice, good-natured day?
The summer is over.