She realized too, from the satisfaction betrayed in the glances these men were exchanging among each other, the ease with which they sat, and the gusto with which they ate the food Katy was deftly serving them, that something was happening which never had happened at the Strong table since she had presided as its head, her sole endeavor having been to flatter her guests or to extract flattery for herself from them.
"That is what makes this valley so adorable," said Marian when at last she could make herself heard.

"It is neither straight nor narrow.

The wing of a white sea swallow never swept a lovelier curve on the breast of the ocean than the line of this valley.

My mother was the dearest little woman, and she used to say that this valley was outlined by a gracious gesture from the hand of God in the dawn of Creation." Peter Morrison deliberately turned in his chair, his eyes intent on Marian's earnest face.
"You almost make me want to say, in the language of an old hymn I used to hear my mother sing, 'Here will I set up my rest.' With such a name as Lilac Valley and with such a thought in the heart concerning it, I scarcely feel that there is any use in looking further.

How about it, Henry?
Doesn't it sound conclusive to you ?" "It certainly does," answered Henry Anderson, "and from what I could see as we drove in, it looks as well as it sounds." Peter Morrison turned to his friend.
"Gilman," he said, "you're a lawyer; you should know the things I'd like to.