I am sure you are very busy--even more so than usual, my dear Mary." She made her stately adieu and swept away.
After her departure Molly bore the teacups to the kitchen and washed them with less than her usual cheery rapidity.

And when the day's work was done she sat for a long while in her icy bedroom, with the moonlight flooding all about her, thinking, thinking deeply.
* * * * * It was the eve of Phyllis's wedding-day, and Molly was hard at work in the kitchen.

The children were all at home, but she had resolutely turned every one out of this, her own particular domain, that she might complete her gigantic task of preparation undisturbed.

The whole household were in a state of seething excitement.

There were guests in the house as well, and every room but the kitchen seemed crowded to its utmost capacity.