"Whatever news it may be, it is not that," she said.

"Nobody could suspect Annie of writing a book.

I myself was not so much surprised at Margaret Edes." To Annie's consternation, her grandmother turned upon her a long, slow, reading look.

She flushed under it and swallowed a spoonful of cereal hastily.

Then her grandmother chuckled under her breath and her china blue eyes twinkled.
"Annie has done something a deal better than to write a book," said she, looking away from the girl, and fixing unsparing eyes upon her daughters.