The dilapidated wall-paper trembled in the drafts.

Madame Aubain, overwhelmed by recollections, would hang her head, while the children were afraid to open their mouths.

Then, "Why don't you go and play ?" their mother would say; and they would scamper off.
Paul would go to the old barn, catch birds, throw stones into the pond, or pound the trunks of the trees with a stick till they resounded like drums.

Virginia would feed the rabbits and run to pick the wild flowers in the fields, and her flying legs would disclose her little embroidered pantalettes.

One autumn evening, they struck out for home through the meadows.