The crowing of a rooster and the barking of a dog fell on her ear like familiar music.
"It's a comfort to hear something speak English," she sighed, "even if it's nothing but a chicken.

I do wish that Cousin Kate wouldn't be so particular about my using French all day long.

The one little half-hour at bedtime when she allows me to speak English isn't a drop in the bucket.

It's a mercy that I had studied French some before I came, or I would have a lonesome time.

I wouldn't be able to ever talk at all." It was getting cold up in the pear-tree.