"What is beautiful?
The weather?
It is summer! Of course it is fine.

Did you expect the north wind to-day, or rain from the southwest ?" Marietta laughed, sweet and low.

The little maid always amused her.
There was something cheerful in the queer little scolding sentences, spoken with a rising inflection on almost every word, musical and yet always seeming to protest gently against anything Marietta said.
"I know of something much more beautiful than the weather," Nella added, seeing that she got no answer except a laugh.

"Do you wish to know what is more beautiful than a summer's day ?" "Oh, I know the answer to that!" cried Marietta.

"You used to catch me in that way when I was a small girl." "Well, my little lady, what is the answer?
I have said nothing." "What is more beautiful than a summer's day?
Why, two summer's days, of course! I was always dreadfully disappointed when you gave me that answer, for I expected something wonderful." Nella shook her head as she unfolded the fine linen things, and uttered a sort of little clucking sound, meant to show her disapproval of such childish jests.
"Tut, tut, tut! We are grown up now! Are we children?
No, we are a young lady, beautiful and serious! Tut, tut, tut! That you should remember the nonsense I used to talk to make you stop crying for your mother, blessed soul! And I myself was so full of tears that a drop of water would have drowned me! But all passes, praise be to God!" "I hope not," said Marietta, but so low that the woman did not hear.
"I will ask you a riddle," continued Nella presently.
"Oh no!" laughed Marietta.