Sophia had hoped more from it, and coming after weeks that had been trying, it had power to depress.

It was late afternoon now, and the day was the last in the year.

Sophia, going upstairs to get rid of the noise of the children, was arrested by the glow of the sunset, and, weary as she was, stood long by the diamond window that was set in the wooden wall of her room.
It was cold.

She wrapped a cloak about her.

She did not at first look observantly at the glow and beauty outside.