He bent over and with two long fingers held up a flower full in the sun's eye, as he might have stooped to chuck under the chin a little girl of his parish.
Monica had brought back a new quartet, which they practised all that Candlemas Eve. When it was time to go to bed Mrs. Grey observed in a satisfied voice that after all it must have been charming at the Strettons.
"Oh, no, Mother, it was terribly dull," Pauline protested.
"Now, dear Pauline, how could it have been dull, when you've brought back this exquisite Schumann quartet?"
Margaret came to Pauline's room to say good-night, sat with her while she undressed and tucked her up so lovingly that Pauline was more than ever delighted to be back at home.
"Oh, Margaret, how sweet you are to me. Why? Is it because you really do miss me when I go away?"
"Partly," said Margaret.
"Why are you smiling so wisely? Have you put something under my pillow?" Pauline began to search.
"There's nothing under your pillow, except all the thoughts I have to-night for you."
Once more Margaret leaned over and kissed her, and Pauline faded into sleep upon the happiness of being at home again.