She wanted to throw herself into her mother's arms and listen to all the little important things that filled the world for her.

If only the aloof virtue in Mrs.Carr's face would relax into a human expression! Taking off her hat, Gabriella went into the bedroom, and then, coming back again after a short absence, remarked with forced gaiety: "I suppose he didn't have anything interesting to tell you, did he ?" "No." Though the light had almost waned, Mrs.Carr broke off a fresh piece of thread and leaned nearer the window, while she tried to find the eye of the needle.
"Let me thread your needle, mother.

It is too late to work, anyway.

You will ruin your eyesight." "I have never considered my eyesight, Gabriella." "I know you haven't, and that's why you ought to begin." As it was really growing too dark to see, Mrs.Carr rolled the thread back on the spool, stuck the needle into the last buttonhole, and folding the infant's dress on which she was working, laid it away in her straw work-basket.
"Will you light the gas, Gabriella ?" "Don't work any more to-night, mother.

It is almost supper time." Without replying, Mrs.Carr moved with her basket to a chair under the chandelier.