The Churchill mansion had a look of the old nobility. It was two stories, with a great, double pitched roof, and wide, overhanging eaves. Just the old fashion of white and green. But the blinds were never faded, and the exterior never soiled. A porch on the front and one side, upheld by square, white columns, and on the other side the graveled roadway to the barn. A lawn in front, terraced twice, with clumps of blossoming shrubs, or dainty beds cut out sharply in the grass. For the house stood on a slight hill which gave it a still more commanding appearance.
But around, just a trifle removed, to let in the sunshine, stood the glory of it all. Great trees, elms, maples, a giant black-walnut, hemlocks that must have grown nearly a hundred years, firs, spruce and larches waving their long fringy arms. No modern sacrilegious hands had come near to disturb them. Birds built in their branches year after year, and the sunshine sifted through on the grass.
It was a warm morning and Miss Lucy’s reclining chair had been wheeled out to the shady side of the porch. She was dressed in white with pale pink roses in her hair and at her throat. Just turned of thirty she had the Churchill maturity with a certain delicate girlishness. You could imagine Miss Esther being a handsome and stately old woman, but it seemed as if Miss Lucy must always stay where she was.
Mr. Churchill came to help her out, Miss Esther welcomed her warmly, and Lucy put forth her hand with a smile.
“I was afraid we might be too early, but Abner had to go over on business, and we told him to wait if you were not ready. Did you have a pleasant ride?”
“It is very kind of you to come. I hope I shall not tire you out before the day is over,” said Miss Lucy.
“O, you will not, I am sure,” Fanny returned with her bright smile. “I am delighted to come.”
“And the sewing?” Miss Churchill exclaimed.
“I did all the long seams last evening, and Rose is to bind my trimming for me, but I am much obliged.”
“What industrious girls you are. I am almost conscience smitten. Are you quite sure you could be spared?”