But when Lucina had been at home six weeks she took a sudden turn for the better, which could have been dated accurately from a certain morning when she met Colonel Jack Lamson, she being out riding and he walking.

He kept pace with the slow amble of her little white horse for some distance, sometimes grasping the bridle and stopping in a shady place to talk more at ease.
When Lucina got home that noon her mother noticed a change in her.
"You look better than you have done for weeks," said she.
"I enjoyed my ride," Lucina said, with a smile and a blush which her mother could not fathom.

The girl ate a dinner which gladdened her father's heart; afterwards she went up to her chamber, and presently came down with her hat on and her silk work-bag on her arm.
"I am going to take one of my chair-covers over to Aunt Camilla's," said she.
"Well, walk slowly," said her mother, trying to conceal her delight lest it betray her past anxiety.

Lucina had not touched her embroidery for weeks, nor stepped out-of-doors of her own accord.
When she was gone her father and mother looked at each other.

"She's better," Eben said, with a catch in his voice.
"I haven't seen her so bright for weeks," replied Abigail.