She tried to put her customary energy into the task, but it would not rise to the occasion, and after a few strenuous seconds she paused to rest.
It was very still and peaceful, and she was glad of the solitude.

All day long she had felt the need of it; and all day long it had been denied her.

She had been decorating under Miss Whalley's superintendence, and the task had been no light one.

Save for the fact that she had gone in Mrs.Lorimer's stead, she had scarcely undertaken it.

For Miss Whalley was as exacting as though the church were her own private property.