"Would the story make me a better girl?"
"Yes, and happier, too."
"Is it a nice story, Suzanna?"
"Awfully sweet."
"When could you tell me, Suzanna?"
"We'll go out into the yard after I've finished dusting and then I'll tell you the story, Maizie."
"All right."
So when the dusting was accomplished, the children sought the back yard. Suzanna procured a soap box, placed it beneath the one tree, while Maizie drew another very close to her sister that she might lose no word, and settled with keen anticipation to listen to Suzanna's story.
The day was hot, with scarcely a breeze stirring. Still, with the quiet there was a freshness in the air that made the children draw in deep breaths.
Suzanna began very softly: "Maizie, do you see that big rose nodding near the fence over there at Mrs. Reynolds'?"