She did not notice that the earnestness was unnatural; intense
earnestness in household matters was her normal state.




Chapter 16


The stately May morning, caparisoned in diamonds, full of the solemnity
that perfect beauty wears, had come out of the purple mist and shamed
the hovel where Hazel dressed for her bridal. The cottage had sunk
almost out of recognition in the foam of spring. Ancient lilacs stood
about it and nodded purple-coroneted heads across its one chimney.
Their scent bore down all other scents like a strong personality and
there was no choice but to think the thoughts of the lilac. Two
laburnums, forked and huge of trunk, fingered the roof with their lower
branches and dripped gold on it. The upper branches sprang far into the
blue.

The may-tree by the gate knew its perfect moment, covered with crystal
buds that shone like rain among the bright green leaves. From every
pear-tree--full-blossomed, dropping petals--and from every shell-pink
apple-tree came the roar of the bees.

Abel rose very early, for he considered it the proper thing to
make a wreath for Hazel, being an artist in such matters. The
lilies-of-the-valley-were almost out; he had put some in warm
water overnight, and now he sat beneath the horse-chestnut and
worked at the wreath. The shadows of the leaves rippled over him