“One of her poetical flights,” whispered Tillytuck to Judy. But Pat and Rae both heard him and almost choked trying not to laugh. Mrs. Binnie, who never dreamed anyone could be laughing at her, kept on.

“Is it true the Kirks are putting up a sundial in the Long House garden?”

“Yes,” said Pat shortly.

“Well now, I never did hold with them modern inventions,” said Mrs. Binnie complacently. “An old-fashioned clock is good enough for me.”

“Never mind,” said Rae, when Mrs. Binnie had finally waddled off to the “living room,” “it will soon be lilac time.”

“With white apple boughs framing a moon,” said Pat.

“And violets in the silver bush,” said Rae.

“And a new row of lilies to be planted along the dyke,” said Pat.

“And great crimson clovers in the Mince Pie Field.”

“And blue-eyed grass around the Pool…”

“And pussy-willows in Happiness…”

“And a dance of daisies along Jordan.”

“Oh, we’ve heaps of precious things left yet, Pat—things nobody, not even a Binnie can spoil.” Were the days when she could wash her being in the sunrise and feel as blithe as a bird gone forever? Perhaps they would come back when the new house would be built and Silver Bush was all their own again. But that was as yet far in the future. There was Judy coming across the yard, bringing in some drenched little chickens May had forgotten to put in. Was Judy getting bent? Pat shivered.

But still life seemed sadly out of tune, struggle as bravely as one might.

CHAPTER 40

“I’ll have nothing to do with anything today but spring,” said Pat…even gaily. For May had gone home that morning and they had a whole day to be alone…three delightful meals to eat alone when they could sit around the table and talk as long as they liked in the old way. Sometimes Pat and Judy thought those frequent visits of May home were all that saved their reason. Everything seemed different. Judy vowed that the very washing machine ran easier when she was away. Even the house seemed to draw a breath of relief. It had never got used to May.

It had not been an easy spring at Silver Bush despite its beauty. Housecleaning with May was rather a heart-breaking business. She was so full of suggestions.

“Why not do away with that messy old front garden, Pat, and make a real lawn?”…or, “I’d have a window cut there, Pat. This hall is really awfully dark in the afternoons.”…or, “The orchard is really trying to get into the house, Pat. Why not have that tree cut down?”