I would rather have brought her a kitten, but I felt instinctively that no animal would be tolerated by the invalid.
It was somewhat dark when I entered the room, but one glance showed me that my directions had been obeyed; the window was unshaded, and the flowers were in their place.
Phoebe was lying watching the fire.

I saw at once that she was in a better mood.

The few questions I put to her were answered quietly and to the point, and there was no excitement or exaggeration in her manner.
I did not talk much.

After a minute or two I sat down by the uncurtained window and began to sing as usual.

I commenced with a simple ballad, but very soon my songs merged into hymns.