She ran to her and hid her face in her lap. She caught Mamma's hands and kissed them. They smelt of sandal wood. They moved over her hair with slight quick strokes that didn't stay, that didn't care.
Mamma said, "There. That'll do. That'll do."
She climbed up on a chair and looked out of the window. She could see Mamma's small beautiful nose bending over the tray of beads, and her bright eyes that slid slantwise to look at her. And under the window she saw the brown twigs of the lilac bush tipped with green.
Her happiness was sharp and still like the white light.
Mamma said, "What did you see when you were out with Jenny to-day?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing? And what are you looking at?"
"Nothing, Mamma."
"Then go upstairs and take your things off. Quick!"
She went very slowly, holding herself with care, lest she should jar her happiness and spill it.