I saw there was something the matter when you came striding up the hill without a word, but I thought it was only that you found the basket too heavy.

Of course, if I had known it was only to be lunch for one, I would not have put in so many things; and certainly not a whole bottle of papa's best claret.

In fact, if I had known I was to picnic practically alone, I would not have crossed the river at all." Then she saw that Peter was in earnest, and with a sigh of regret, Sarah returned the dish of jam-puffs to the basket.
"I couldn't talk sense, or even listen to it, with those heavenly puffs under my very nose," she said.

"Now, what is it ?" "I hate telling you--I hate talking of it," said Peter, and a dark flush rose to his frowning eyebrows.

He threw himself once more at Sarah's feet, and turned his face away from her, and towards the blue streak of distant sea.