Fortunately for him her face was turned away--fortunately for her, too.
There was a few moments' silence; the trowel, driven abruptly into the earth to the hilt, served as a prop for her clinched hand.
"I think--Louis--is very well," she said.
"He is remaining permanently with Mr.Portlaw ?" "I think so." "I hope it will be agreeable for you--both." "It is a very beautiful country." She rose to her slender, graceful height and surveyed her work: "A pretty country, a pretty house and garden," she said steadily.

"After all, you know, that is the main thing in this world." "What ?" "Why, an agreeable environment; isn't it ?" She turned smilingly, walked to the bench and seated herself.
"Your environment promises to be a little lonely at times," he ventured.
"Oh, yes.

But I rather like it, when it's not over-populated.

There will be a great deal for me to do in my garden--teaching young plants self-control." "Gardens freeze up, Shiela." "Yes, that is true." "But you'll have good shooting--" "I will never again draw trigger on any living thing!" "What?
The girl who--" "No girl, now--a woman who can never again bring herself to inflict death." "Why ?" "I know better now." "You rather astonish me ?" he said, pretending amusement.
She sat very still, thoughtful eyes roaming, then rested her chin on her hand, dropping one knee over the other to support her elbow.

And he saw the sensitive mouth droop a little, and the white lids drooping too until the lashes rested on the bloom of the curved cheek.